When the Moon Met Venus: A Rare and Beautiful Conjunction
On March 24, 2023, the moon and Venus aligned in a rare and beautiful conjunction that dazzled skywatchers around the world.
Kolkata: On March 24, 2023, skywatchers around the world witnessed a rare and beautiful sight: the conjunction of the moon and Venus. The two brightest objects in the night sky appeared close together, creating a stunning spectacle for the naked eye.
A conjunction occurs when two celestial bodies appear to be near each other from the perspective of an observer on Earth. In reality, they are still far apart in space, but they align along the same line of sight.
On Thursday night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase, with only about 10 per cent of its surface illuminated by the sun. Venus, the brightest planet in our solar system, was shining below the moon. As the night progressed, Venus gradually moved behind the dark edge of the moon, disappearing from view for some time. This phenomenon is called an occultation, which is similar to an eclipse.
The moon and Venus conjunction was visible from many parts of the world, including India, where it added more charm to the Ramzan festivities. Many people captured mesmerising photos and videos of the event and shared them on social media.
According to NASA, the moon and Venus’s conjunction was followed by another celestial show on Friday night, when the moon moved above Venus. The space agency also said that five planets – Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars – will align in the sky between March 25 and March 30, forming a rare parade of planets.
The conjunction of the moon and Venus was a reminder of the beauty and wonder of nature. It also showed us how small we are in this vast universe, and how lucky we are to witness such events.
