A rare celestial alignment of Venus, Saturn, and a thin crescent Moon will appear as a “smiley face” in the morning sky this Friday, April 25. However, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction and understand what makes up this unique pattern.
The smiley face is formed by aligning these three bodies close together in the morning sky. Venus forms the right eye, Saturn forms the left eye, and the crescent Moon creates the “smile.” To visualize this alignment, consider a 90° clockwise rotation of a smiley face.
Venus will be visible as a bright morning object rising in the east around 05:00 BST, while the Moon will rise closer to Venus each morning, moving towards an alignment on April 25. However, Saturn’s faintness and low position in the sky make it challenging to spot.
To observe the smiley face, clear eastern horizons, good weather, and precise timing are required. Be cautious when observing during this time, as the Sun will be rising in the same area of the sky, and viewing Venus, the Moon, or Saturn with binoculars or telescopes is not recommended due to their proximity to the Sun.
Sky gazers are invited to share their observations by emailing [email protected].
Source: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/smiley-face-moon-venus-saturn-april-2025