June 11, 2021: During the early evening brilliant Evening Star Venus and the crescent moon appear together in the west-northwest after sunset. The pairing is the second closest during this appearance of Venus in the evening sky.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Walk outside about 45 minutes after sunset. Look to the west-northwest. A clear view across the sky is needed to see the grouping of Venus and the crescent.
A spot on a hillside or elevated structure is helpful. Take along a binocular to initially see the crescent.
Brilliant Venus is shining through the spectacular hues of sunset. It is about 8° up in the west-northwest. The crescent moon, 2% illuminated, is 2.8° to the lower right of Venus.
Venus and the moon set about 90 minutes after sunset. As the sky darkens, they are lower in the sky.
Photograph the pairing with a tripod-mounted camera. Depending on the sky’s brightness and the camera’s settings, exposures can range from fractions of a second to a few seconds.
Next month, the moon is in the region again on July 11 and July 12.
Follow the moon during the next few evenings after its grouping with Venus as it moves higher in the western sky, passing Mars.
Articles and Summaries
- Venus as an Evening Star
- Venus Evening Star (Summary)
- Mars during 2021 (Summary)
- Planets during June 2021
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, October 3-5: Moon Passes Mars Before Jupiter Occultation on October 6
October 3-5, 2026: The waning moon approaches Mars before dawn October 3–5, passing the Beehive star cluster before its October 6 occultation (eclipse) of Jupiter. - 2026, October 2: Three Bright Planets and the Moon Before Sunrise
October 2, 2026: The moon passes Elnath before reaching Last Quarter phase. Mars approaches the Beehive cluster while Jupiter shines near Regulus and Saturn nears opposition. - 2026, October 1: Moon Passes Aldebaran and Approaches Jupiter Occultation
October 1, 2026: The waning moon shines in front of Taurus near Aldebaran and the Pleiades. Watch it move toward Mars and an occultation (eclipse) of Jupiter across North America. - 2026, September 30: See Saturn Through a Telescope
September 30, 2026: Look for opportunities to see Saturn through a telescope at a local museum or public sky watching event. Check our directory. - 2026, September 29: Mars and Jupiter Before Sunrise, Saturn Near Opposition
2026, September 29: Mars and Jupiter Before Sunrise, Saturn Near Opposition
Great post lovely header image