Monday, July 8, 2024

Earthshine and Inner Planets (after sunset)

For several evenings surrounding Monday, July 8, the young crescent moon will shine in the western sky after sunset. Watch for Earthshine, also known as the Ashen Glow and "the old moon in the new moon's arms". That's sunlight
reflected off Earth and back toward the moon, slightly brightening the dark portion of the moon's Earth-facing hemisphere. The phenomenon appears for several days after each new moon, but is strongest in springtime at mid- northern latitudes, when the moon is directly above the sun when it sets. This month, the moon will be accompanied by both inner planets, Venus and Mercury.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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