How to see bright Venus dance with a glowing crescent moon this week

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Early on Oct. 10, the bright planet Venus will appear exceptionally close to the crescent moon in a lovely skywatching display. Here's when and where to watch.

Moon in night sky above ocean.
A crescent moon will move closely past Venus this week. (Image credit: Will Crocker via Getty Images)

If you're willing to rise early, you may spot a beautiful sight in the eastern sky on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

About three hours before sunrise, the bright planet Venus and a 17%-lit crescent moon will appear just 5 degrees from each other, and the pair will be easily visible to the naked eye. Venus will rise about half an hour after the moon. You can get the exact rise times for your location on timeanddate.com's Night Sky Map & Planets Visible Tonight page.

A crescent moon and Venus in conjunction, as seen from British Columbia, Canada. (Image credit: Stocktrek Images via Getty Images)

There are six stars in the sickle, with Regulus at the bottom. The fourth star, visible on the other side of the crescent moon, will be Algieba, which is about 130 light-years from the solar system and one of the clearest double stars in the night sky, according to Astronomy Now. Viewing Algieba through a good small telescope will split it into a pair of golden stars.

The crescent moon will move away from Venus and the bright stars as it continues its orbit, but equally beautiful sights await. 

On the mornings of Wednesday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 12, it will be possible to glimpse the ever-slimmer crescent moon just 10% and 5% illuminated, respectively, as it approaches its new-moon phase, when it will eclipse the sun on Saturday, Oct. 14 as seen throughout the Americas.

Jamie Carter
Jamie Carter
Live Science contributor

Jamie Carter is a Cardiff, U.K.-based freelance science journalist and a regular contributor to Live Science. He is the author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners and co-author of The Eclipse Effect, and leads international stargazing and eclipse-chasing tours. His work appears regularly in Space.com, Forbes, New Scientist, BBC Sky at Night, Sky & Telescope, and other major science and astronomy publications. He is also the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com.