Starwatch: a gloriously brilliant Venus and a young crescent moon | Astronomy

This week, we keep an eye on the western sky to catch glorious Venus and a young crescent moon.

The chart shows the view looking west from London at 19.00 GMT on the evening of 2 March. At this point, the moon will be just over three days old and have just 10% of its visible surface illuminated. While the pairing will not be particularly close, it will still be a beautiful sight. Venus remains in Pisces, the fishes, which is one of the fainter constellations and, although now on the wane, the planet will still be gloriously brilliant.

If you are out in time for sunset, and have a good western horizon, you may also be able to spot Mercury hovering above the horizon about 20-30 minutes after the Sun disappears from view. Although fainter than Venus, Mercury will still be unmistakable.

For example, on 28 February, it should begin to become visible at about 18.00 GMT. One day later, you may also glimpse the two-day-old moon situated between the two planets. It will be the thinnest of crescents with just 4% of its visible surface illuminated. Unfortunately, these alignments will be much more difficult to see from the southern hemisphere.