See A Crescent Moon Beside Venus And ‘Groundhog Day: The Night Sky This Week

Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.

The Night Sky This Week: Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2025

From classic post-sunset views of the crescent moon tangling with Venus and Saturn to "Earthshine" on its dark limb, here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week:

Wednesday, Jan. 29: New Moon

At 7:36 a.m. EST, today is every stargazer’s favorite moment of the month — the new moon. This lunar phase sees the moon roughly between the Earth and the sun, making the moon invisible but the night skies free from moonlight. That makes tonight the very best of the month for stargazing, though in practice, the entire week is near-perfect beforehand (and a few days after) is perfect. In the coming evenings, a crescent moon will appear after sunset.

Thursday, Jan. 30: First Sighting Of The Crescent Moon

Look west after sunset for a chance to see a super-slim 2.4%-lit crescent moon. It won’t be easy because it will only be in the sky while it’s still bright, just after the sunset. You’ll need binoculars, but don’t use them while the sun is still in the sky. Wait until it’s disappeared below the horizon before you scan around for the slimmest possible crescent moon.

Friday, Jan. 31: Crescent Moon And Saturn In Conjunction

Now, at 7%-lit, the waxing crescent moon will be more easily visible in the west sky after sunset tonight and shine just a degree from Saturn. You can watch them sink together in darkness about two hours after sunset.

Saturday, Feb. 1: Crescent Moon And Venus In Conjunction

A brightening 14%-lit waxing crescent moon will be visible in the west sky just after sunset, and shining just a couple of degrees from bright Venus. You can watch them sink together in darkness about three hours after sunset. Look at the moon’s dark limb for “Earthshine” — sunlight reflected from our planet’s oceans and ice caps onto the lunar surface.

Sunday, Feb. 2: Crescent Moon And Earthshine

Here’s a final chance to see this month’s waxing crescent moon, now 23%-lit and visible in the western sky just after sunset. You can watch it above Venus, which will sink about three hours after sunset, an hour before the moon.

Stargazing Fact Of The Week: Groundhog Day

As well as being a great day to see the moon and planets after sunset, Sunday, Feb. 2 is “Groundhog Day,” a day whose weather is traditionally said to indicate six more weeks of winter (if sunny) or early spring (if cloudy). Why is Groundhog Day in an article about stargazing? Let me explain. Feb. 2 is a cross-quarter day — the halfway point between December’s solstice and March’s equinox. That’s why it is a significant day marked in calendars.

The other three cross-quarter days of the year include May Day on May 1, Lammas on Aug. 1 and Halloween on Oct. 31. They’re not events as such, sky-wise, but they are essential way markers in our planet’s annual trip around the sun.

The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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