Get ready for a celestial treat! On April 25, the moon will form a “smiling face” with Saturn and Venus in the eastern sky. This rare alignment is only visible from Earth and can be spotted by those who look closely at the horizon just before sunrise.
To see the cosmic smiley face, find Venus, which will be visible as a bright morning star close to the horizon. Saturn will rise about 20 minutes later to the lower right of Venus, while the moon will appear to the left of the ringed gas giant. The smiley face will appear tilted at around 45 degrees relative to the horizon.
Saturn’s relatively low brightness and position on the horizon may make it challenging to spot without a telescope or binoculars. However, if you’re able to catch a glimpse, you’ll have seen a unique celestial arrangement that can’t be seen from anywhere else in the universe.
During this event, you might also see prominent features on the lunar surface illuminated by “Earthshine,” which occurs when Earth reflects light onto its closest companion. Additionally, Mercury will appear close to the horizon and Neptune can be spotted approximately 1 degree to the right of the moon’s shadow-drenched disk.
This rare alignment is a great opportunity for skywatchers to explore the night sky and capture stunning photos with the help of our guides on astrophotography equipment and techniques. Don’t miss this chance to witness a celestial smile that only appears in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/see-a-cosmic-smiley-face-in-the-early-morning-sky-as-the-moon-greets-saturn-and-venus-tomorrow