Venus and Moon play hide-and-seek

A cosmic encounter between the Moon and Venus must be one of the more spectacular events in amateur astronomy. So on the eve of tomorrow’s planetary occultation, here is some more about the event.

The UK, Ireland and much of Europe are ideally placed to view it. Easiest to spot will be the moment when brilliant Venus slides out from behind the Moon because it happens during the “rush hour”.

In the darkening twilight, Venus will appear like a bright “star” detaching itself from the crescent Moon. The pair will then make a dazzling pattern with another bright planet, Jupiter, above the south-western horizon – itself a rare event called a conjunction.

The moon’s cover-up of Venus begins in daylight shortly after 3.45pm from London. Venus will then lie just to the left of the moon and may be seen even with the naked eye as it is so bright.

But the reappearance of Venus will be even easier to spot because of the darker sky. From London this happens at about 5.16pm. Times in other parts of the UK (and Europe) will vary. Times for different part of the UK are given below, courtesy of the Society for Popular Astronomy.

The lunar cover-up is similar to a solar eclipse except that it is Venus being hidden instead of the sun. It should provide an opportunity for some dramatic photos.

The picture is a computer simulation of the moment after Venus reappears from behind the Moon, using the planetarium program Starry Night.