November 4-7, 2026: Watch the waning crescent moon approach Venus and Spica before sunrise. Learn when to see the trio and photograph earthshine.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Venus, Crescent Moon, Spica
Venus is emerging from bright sunlight after inferior conjunction two weeks ago. It is less than 10° above the east-southeast horizon near Spica, Virgo’s brightest star. Use a binocular to see the star near the brilliant Morning Star.
Earthshine
As the moon wanes, earthshine is visible on the moon’s night portion. This effect is from reflected sunlight, from Earth’s oceans, cloud s, and land. Photograph it with a tripod-mounted camera or a steady camera phone with exposures up to five seconds. The lunar crescent is overexposed while earthshine is recorded. Vary the composition to include other stars or to isolate the moon with earthshine.
Highlights
Here’s what to see:
- November 4: The crescent moon, 22% illuminated, is less than halfway from the southeast horizon to overhead. It is over 35° to Venus’ upper right. The Morning Star is 2.0° to Spica’s lower right.
- November 5: The waning moon, 14% illuminated, is less than one-third of the way from the east-southeast horizon to overhead and 25° to Venus’ upper right. Venus is 1.7° to Spica’s lower right.
- November 6: The crescent moon, 7% illuminated, is less than 20° above the east-southeast horizon, nearly 12° to Venus’ upper right. The Morning Star is 1.5° to Spica’s lower right. This is a picturesque scene and the best morning to photograph the moon’s earthshine with Venus nearby. Through a telescope, Venus displays about the same phase as the lunar crescent. Both crescents point toward the sunrise point.
- November 7: Find a clear horizon to see the crescent moon, 3% illuminated, Venus, and Spica in a compact group that easily fits into a binocular field. The moon is 1.8° to Venus’ lower right, while the planet is 1.3° to Spica’s right.
Venus’ appearance as the Morning Star is accented by a pretty display with the moon and Spica.
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