Moon and Morning Star

Wednesday, April 22, 2009, the Moon and Venus rose together in early morning skies.
Even through clouds, both show off a lovely crescent in this well-composed skyscape
from Rutherford College, North Carolina, in the eastern US. Farther west, North American
skygazers could also witness the Moon passing in front of Venus. The bright planet
disappeared behind the Moon's sunlit crescent and reappeared along its darkened limb
as morning twilight gave way to daylight hours. Of course the dimmer lunar crescent
was waning, approaching today's New Moon phase. Beginning a stint as the brilliant
Morning Star, Venus' crescent is waxing though, and will grow thicker in the coming
months as Venus rises higher in morning skies.

>