A celestial trio of Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent Moon will put on a striking display in the western sky after sunset throughout late May 2026.
Key Viewing Dates
- May 18, 2026: The thin crescent Moon, 2.1 days past new and 7% illuminated, will appear approximately 3 degrees to the right of Venus. Venus will be low in the western sky. The Moon's magnitude is -7.1, while Venus shines at -4.0.
- May 19, 2026: Venus remains low; the Moon appears higher and to the left. Jupiter is visible above the line connecting Venus and the Moon.
- May 20, 2026: The fuller Moon appears above and to the left of Jupiter, forming a line with the stars Castor and Pollux.
- May 21, 2026: The crescent Moon appears higher and further left of Jupiter.
Additional Observing Details
- The Moon moves eastward each night, making close approaches to each planet.
- Best viewing is just after sunset, requiring a clear western horizon.
- Venus and Jupiter are the only bright "stars" visible in that part of the evening sky.
- The conjunction for Venus and Jupiter, marking their closest apparent approach, is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
- On May 18, the Moon is approximately 224,000 miles from Earth, while Venus is approximately 124 million miles away.
- Venus's elongation from the Sun increases from 24 to 32 degrees during May, improving its visibility at dusk.
Don't miss this elegant dance of planets and Moon—all visible to the naked eye just after sunset.