A delicate crescent moon will tonight shine below two bright stars to create the illusion of a “smiley face.” Although the celestial sight will be a beautiful sight — and an easy one to find in the night sky — the observing window is short.
What Is The ‘Smiley Face?’
It’s an illusion created in the night sky when a crescent moon passes beneath two close stars. In this case, it’s a 12%-lit waxing crescent moon — a young moon fresh from its new phase on Monday — now creeping away from the sun’s glare and passing two bright stars, Castor and Pollux, in the constellation Gemini.
When To See The ‘Smiley Face’
About 45 minutes after sunset, where you are on Thursday, May 29, 2025, is when to head outside, just as a deep twilight takes hold. However, there isn’t much time to waste, because, within about 90 minutes, the moon — the “mouth” of the “smiley face” — will sink below the horizon, followed soon after by the ‘”eyes” castor and Pollux.
Where To See The ‘Smiley Face’
The action will take place in the north-western sky, as seen from North America. That’s just above where the sun will have set about 45 minutes prior. The “smiley face” will sink as you observe it.
Observing A Crescent Moon
Besides being the mouth of the “smiley face,” a 12%-lit waxing crescent moon is a beautiful sight all on its own. Look away from its bright crescent to the darker side of the moon, and you’ll see it subtly lit. That’s “Earthshine,” sunlight reflected onto the moon by Earth’s ice caps, clouds and oceans. It’s an ethereal sight that can be easily seen with the naked eye but is best viewed through binoculars. It’s only visible when the crescent moon is particularly slender. Scientists believe that “Earthshine” is becoming dimmer due to the climate crisis.
The Constellation Gemini
Pollux (the left-hand “eye”) and Castor, the heads of the Gemini twins, are two of the brightest stars in the night sky. About 34 and 51 light-years from the Sun, Pollux is slightly brighter and more orange than Castor, which has a more yellow hue. Pollux is a giant star, while Castor is three stars orbiting each other.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.