{"id":39997,"date":"2022-12-25T10:02:18","date_gmt":"2022-12-25T10:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=114007"},"modified":"2022-12-25T10:32:31","modified_gmt":"2022-12-25T10:32:31","slug":"see-the-crescent-moon-with-mercury-and-venus-this-christmas-day","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/see-the-crescent-moon-with-mercury-and-venus-this-christmas-day\/","title":{"rendered":"See the crescent Moon with Mercury and Venus this Christmas Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Stuart Atkinson\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 25 December 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Attention Christmas stargazers! Just as you\u2019re finishing off the last of the Christmas dinner, there\u2019s going to be something wonderful to see in the evening sky tonight.<\/p>\n

On Christmas Day late afternoon, as the Sun begins to set, the crescent Moon, Mercury<\/a> and Venus<\/a> will be visible low in the sky, just about the southwest horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Christmas Day celestial get-together will be visible around 16:45 UTC, and will be visible with the naked eye.<\/p>\n

But grab a pair of binoculars or your telescope \u2013 did you find one under the Christmas Tree this year? \u2013 and you\u2019ll be able to explore these three bodies in even greater detail.<\/p>\n

For more stargazing advice in 2023, read our guide to what\u2019s in the night sky this year<\/a>, listen to our regular Star Diary podcast<\/a> or sign up to receive the BBC Sky at Night Magazine e-newsletter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Find out how to subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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One caveat to this wonderful Christmas Day conjunction is that you must always be careful when observing anything through binoculars or a telescope close to sunset, as observing the Sun using magnification can seriously damage your eyesight.<\/p>\n

With the naked eye, this conjunction will be just as special.<\/p>\n

Venus will be the brighter of the planets, with fainter Mercury just under 4\u00b0 away. <\/span><\/p>\n

You should also be able to see the unlit part of the Moon\u2019s face glowing a soft lavender hue.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is \u2018Earthshine<\/a>\u2019, sunlight that has been reflected off Earth and onto the Moon\u2019s surface<\/span>, a stunning sight through binoculars and small telescopes.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re observing the Moon with binoculars or a telescope<\/a> this evening, take time to explore the terminator<\/a> \u2013 the line dividing light and shadow on the lunar surface \u2013 or read our guide to observing a crescent Moon<\/a>.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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