Many have witnessed a magnificent sight as the sun sets on the first evening of Ramadan. In the western sky, a star was shining just below the slivery moon. The strange scene of shining point under the moon was seen till about 6 pm. Actually, that point was the planet Venus. It looked like the Arabic letter ‘ba’.
The moon appeared redder in a sickle-thin sliver as Venus moved closer to the moon on Friday (March 24). Only 6 percent was illuminated. Just below the moon was the silvery-golden planet Venus. The two cosmic bodies were about 6.5 degrees apart that day.
This view of the night sky was so mesmerizing and rare that it instantly went viral on social media. Many have also responded to this on their handle. More and more people were thrilled to see that picture.
Experts say that Venus has passed over the moon at that time. Its position was on the north side of the moon. However, this position changed slightly on Saturday. The Moon is slightly wider or 12 percent, higher and slightly to the left of Venus. As a result, the opportunity to see the Moon and the Venus so close at nightfall was no longer available.
Meanwhile, Venus would gradually disappear behind the dark side of the Moon, astronomers said. Although Venus is one of the brightest objects in the evening sky, the moon will increase its brightness by about 250 times as it approaches, they say.
Astronomical Society India Outreach and Education said in a tweet that the moon is now in its new moon phase and only 9 percent of the moon’s surface will be visible. This phase lasts until half of the visible surface of the moon is illuminated. According to the time and date, the crescent will begin to take shape as soon as the moon becomes visible again after the new moon conjunction when the sun and earth are on opposite sides of the moon.