Starry Sky Date | This "Celestial and Lunar Fairy Tale" is Highly Pictorial

On the evening of the specified dates, if the weather is clear, the public in our country will be able to enjoy the beautiful sight of Venus accompanying the Moon. Recently, many observant members of the public have noticed, while heading home from work or school, a star shining brightly in the low southwestern sky. This star, resembling a diamond, is none other than "the brightest star in the night sky" — Venus.

In ancient China, Venus was referred to as "Taibai." When it is located to the west of the Sun, it appears in the morning twilight in the east and is known as "Morning Star" or "Dawn Star." When it is located to the east of the Sun, it appears in the evening twilight in the west and is called "Evening Star" or "Dusk Star." Due to its extremely high brightness, Venus easily catches the public's eye, making it a highly frequent figure in various myths and legends both in China and abroad. It is truly a "traffic star" in every sense.

Yang Jing, a member of the Chinese Astronomical Society and a council member of the Tianjin Astronomical Society, explained that compared to Earth, Venus is an inner planet. When viewed from Earth, it moves only near the Sun, and we can usually only see it during the early morning and late evening. The Moon is Earth's satellite, orbiting the sky once every lunar month. Therefore, when the Moon passes near Venus, the lunar phase is either a crescent moon at the beginning of the lunar month or a waning crescent at the end of the lunar month. The distance and positional relationship between the two also vary.

Recently, Venus has returned to the evening sky, and as time progresses, its elevation above the horizon gradually increases, allowing for longer observation periods. This also means that each month, when the Moon passes near Venus, a scene of "Venus accompanying the crescent Moon" is formed. This month is no exception; the evenings of the 10th and 11th are excellent opportunities to enjoy the sight of Venus accompanying the Moon.

Specifically, on the fourth day of the lunar month, after sunset, the Moon is located slightly below and to the right of Venus, with a somewhat greater distance between them. On the fifth day of the lunar month, in the early evening, the Moon is positioned to the left of Venus, with a closer distance between them, making them easier to observe. For most regions in China, this "star and moon fairy tale" can last for about an hour, providing ample observation time. In the night sky, the bright moonlight and the luminous Venus, side by side, create a delightful sight.

Interested members of the public can observe this 'star and moon fairy tale' with the naked eye, without the need for a telescope; when choosing a location, it is best to select a spot unobstructed to the southwest. Yang Jing reminded.