Two Moons in View?

NASA Space Science News

On Wednesday evening, Nov. 29th, the slender crescent Moon will glide just a few degrees past brilliant Venus. To see the show, simply go outside soon after local sunset and look toward the southwest. The pair are so bright that even city dwellers can enjoy the close encounter. Observers in Africa, Europe and the Americas are generally favored because the Moon and Venus will appear closest to one another after sunset over those parts of the world, but the sight should be pleasing even if you live elsewhere.

Dark-sky observers might notice something extra: the ghostly outline of the full Moon cradled in the arms of the crescent -- a dim glow that astronomers call "Earthshine." Earthshine is sunlight that bounces off the Earth and falls on the darkened lunar surface. A slender crescent Moon with Earthshine is widely regarded as one of the most delicate and beautiful sights in the night sky.