The crescent moon, Venus and the Pleiades will reach conjunction during the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower this Saturday. Here's how to watch the stunning show.
Stargazers are set for a spectacular show this Saturday , as the moon and Venus — the two brightest objects in the night sky — will appear as if they are about to collide amid a meteor shower, all while set against the backdrop of a stunning star cluster.
As if that weren't enough of a sight, the sky will also be flecked with"shooting stars" from the Lyrid meteor shower, which will peak Saturday evening to Sunday morning. The Lyrids are best witnessed in a dark, clear location. Weather permitting, as many as 18 meteor streaks per hour may be visible during this window, according to the American Meteor Society .
With or without binoculars, catching the conjunction requires looking low along the western horizon just after sunset to see the crescent moon and the sparkling Pleiades hang below the brilliant Venus. On the darkened limb of the crescent moon, you should also see a glint, which has been reflected from Earth onto the moon and is known as Earthshine. If the sky is clear, flecks of fireballs from the Lyrid meteor shower will be visible.
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