Look Up! Venus Snuggles Up to the Moon Tonight

Venus and the Moon July 15, 2018
A depiction of the conjunction of the moon and Venus on July 15, 2018, as seen from the East Coast of the U.S. (Image credit: Sky & Telescope/Stellarium)

Venus is due for a date with the moon tonight, July 15, with the two bodies appearing to dance within half an inch of each other in the western sky, depending on your location.

The conjunction is Venus' second celestial appointment this week, after it met up with the star Regulus on Monday night.

For U.S. viewers, Venus and the moon will look closest together from the West Coast, appearing about four times farther apart for skywatchers on the East Coast. Wherever you're located, be sure to head outside early in the evening, because both bodies will set at around 10 p.m. local time.

Tonight, the moon will be only about 12 percent illuminated, because a few days have passed since the new moon appeared. But the dark part of the moon should show earthshine, a faint glow caused by light reflecting off the planet. 

Editor's note: If you capture an amazing image of Venus with the moon and would like to share it with Space.com for a story or gallery, send images and comments in to: spacephotos@space.com. 

Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.

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Meghan Bartels
Senior Writer

Meghan is a senior writer at Space.com and has more than five years' experience as a science journalist based in New York City. She joined Space.com in July 2018, with previous writing published in outlets including Newsweek and Audubon. Meghan earned an MA in science journalism from New York University and a BA in classics from Georgetown University, and in her free time she enjoys reading and visiting museums. Follow her on Twitter at @meghanbartels.