Venus, crescent moon and Spica to gather in November dawn sky
Original report:
Venus will appear alongside a thin crescent moon and Spica before sunrise on 7 November. The Guardian’s viewing guide places the grouping low in London’s east-south-eastern sky, with a higher appearance in the eastern sky for southern hemisphere observers.
Venus, the waning crescent moon and Spica will appear together before dawn on 7 November, according to the Guardian’s Starwatch guide. Its chart shows the view from London at 0600 GMT, looking east-south-east. Venus will be the easiest to identify because of its brightness, with Spica, Virgo’s brightest star, nearby.
The moon will be two days from new, with just 4% of its Earth-facing disc lit. Observers will need an unobstructed view because the grouping sits low above the horizon. The sky should still be relatively dark at the stated time, but approaching sunrise will progressively obscure fainter stars. Southern hemisphere observers will see the trio higher in the eastern sky before sunrise.
The sight also offers a chance to notice earthshine: sunlight reflected from Earth that faintly illuminates the moon’s otherwise unlit portion. The guide says this may be visible, rather than guaranteed. It also places Spica about 250 light years away, distinguishing the distant star from its apparent companions in the dawn sky.
Source
the Guardian — 2 November 2026
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