Skywatchers were treated to a celestial spectacle on Friday, 3 January 2025, as Venus appeared in a dazzling conjunction with the Moon.
Why was Venus visible above the Moon?
This event, known as a conjunction, occurs when two celestial objects appear close together in the sky from Earth’s perspective.
In this instance, Venus shone brightly just above the waxing crescent Moon in the western sky after sunset.
Despite being millions of kilometres apart, the alignment of their orbits created the illusion of proximity, captivating observers worldwide.
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Venus, often referred to as the “Evening Star,” is the second brightest object in the night sky after the Moon.
Its glow is the result of sunlight reflecting off its thick, cloudy atmosphere. The Moon’s position below Venus enhanced the visual appeal, and the pairing was especially stunning in areas with clear skies.
This conjunction is the first of many astronomical highlights expected in 2025, setting the stage for a year of celestial wonders.
Interesting celestial events to look out for in January 2025
January is shaping up to be an exciting month for stargazers, with several notable events adding to the allure of the night sky:
Quadrantids Meteor Shower
The Quadrantids meteor shower, one of the most anticipated annual meteor showers, peaked on the night of Friday, 3 January 2025 and into the early hours of Saturday.
Under clear skies, observers in South Africa could see up to 25 meteors per hour, while those in the Northern Hemisphere experienced rates as high as 120 meteors per hour.
These meteors are known for their bright fireballs, a result of debris from asteroid 2003 EH1 entering Earth’s atmosphere.
First Full Moon of 2025
The first full moon of the year, also known as the Wolf Moon, graced the skies on Thursday, 2 January 2024.
This full moon marked the beginning of the lunar calendar for 2025 and illuminated the night with its striking brilliance.
Venus at Greatest Eastern Elongation
On Friday, 10 January 2024, Venus will reach its greatest eastern elongation, appearing at its highest point above the western horizon after sunset.
This is an excellent opportunity to observe Venus shining brightly as the “Evening Star.”
Lunar Occultation of Saturn
On Saturday, 4 January 2025, some parts of the world will witness the Moon passing directly in front of Saturn, obscuring it from view in an event called a lunar occultation.
In South Africa, observers can see Saturn positioned close to the Moon in the night sky, offering another beautiful pairing.
As we continue through the year, stargazers can look forward to many more opportunities to connect with the wonders of the universe.
