The Crescent Moon, Saturn & Venus Line Up

Go Out Just After Sunset

The Waxing Crescent Moon will line up with Saturn and Venus on January 4.

This is an early evening affair because the Moon, Saturn, and Venus will set an hour or so after sunset.

Venus and Saturn are among the easiest objects to spot in the night sky with the naked eye—no extra equipment is needed.

What can you see from your location? Search for the Moon in our Night Sky Map, and use the slider and the calendar to find the best time to see the Moon, Saturn, and Venus align.

Shows the Moon’s Orbit

The Moon’s motion around Earth can be revealed by comparing views from one night to the next. If we look at the Moon’s position on successive nights, as it moves past Saturn in its monthly orbit around Earth, we can see how it steadily moves eastwards against the background of the stars.

This becomes evident if we compare the view on January 4 with the view on January 3, 2024, when the Crescent Moon is close to Venus (as seen in the screenshot below).

Looks Different Depending on Location

The Moon’s orientation and its distance from the planets varies slightly depending on your viewing location on Earth.

This is because, although all observers will see the Moon, Saturn, and Venus in the evening, 8 pm in New York comes around 16 hours after 8 pm in Sydney. During this time, the Moon has traveled a little bit further in its orbit around Earth.

Your view also depends on whether you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, as the Moon and Saturn’s orientation varies according to latitude.