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
2021 – 2022, Venus – Mars Triple Conjunction
During 2021 into 2022, Venus passes Mars three times for a triple conjunction. The first occurs on July 12, 2021. The others occur during early 2022, followed by a close approach of the two planets.
2021, July 6: Venus – Saturn Opposition
July 6, 2021: This is the second bright planet – planet opposition this month. Venus and Saturn are in opposite directions from Earth. Venus sets about the time that Saturn rises. After this date, Venus and Saturn together are in the evening sky until early 2022.
2021, June 19: Evening Sky, Moon, Spica
June 19, 2021: The waxing moon appears with Spica in the southwestern sky during the early evening hours.
2021, June 26 – June 30: Bright Moon, Morning Planets
June 26 – June 30, 2021: The bright gibbous moon passes Jupiter and Saturn in the morning sky before sunrise. Observe that the moon is in a different spot each morning, farther east toward the impending sunrise.
2021, June 15: Moon, Sickle of Leo
June 15, 2021: The moon is with the Sickle of Leo this evening. Step outside about an hour after sunset to find the crescent moon that is about 30% illuminated over one-third of the way up in the west.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
Great post lovely header image