If you’re an early riser or a fan of skywatching, you’re in for a cosmic treat this week. A unique alignment of the moon, Venus, and Saturn will create what resembles a tilted smiley face in the sky just before sunrise on Friday, April 25. This delightful display will only be visible for a short window of time, and you’ll need clear skies to catch it.
According to the astronomy site EarthSky, about 30 to 40 minutes before sunrise on Friday, a slender crescent moon will appear to the left of brilliant Venus and the much dimmer Saturn. Together, the trio will form a playful celestial expression—an off-kilter grin made of light. The event will be visible in the eastern sky and last until the sun rises and outshines the scene.
To get the best view, set your alarm early and find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the horizon. Venus, being one of the brightest objects in the sky, will be easy to spot. The moon, in its waning crescent phase, will also be quite visible. Saturn, however, may require a bit more effort to see, given its lower brightness compared to Venus. Still, under the right conditions, the ringed planet should complete the smiley face formation.
One important safety reminder: do not look directly at the sun as it rises, especially without proper eye protection. Doing so can cause permanent eye damage. Time your viewing window carefully so you’re enjoying the scene before the sun begins to dominate the sky.
This planetary alignment is a rare and fleeting moment, making it especially exciting for stargazers and amateur astronomers. Unlike scheduled full moons or annual meteor showers, these kinds of visual “coincidences” between celestial bodies aren’t as predictable or frequent.
But the fun doesn’t stop there—another astronomical event is coming later in the week. On Sunday, April 27, the new moon will make its closest approach to Earth for the year, known as a “new supermoon.” At a distance of about 221,917 miles from our planet, this supermoon will be nearly 17,000 miles closer than the moon’s usual average distance.
However, unlike the well-known full supermoons that appear especially large and bright in the night sky, a new supermoon is largely invisible from Earth. That’s because during the new moon phase, the side of the moon facing us is not illuminated by the sun, making it nearly impossible to see without special equipment.
So while the new supermoon on Sunday won’t be a visual spectacle, it’s still notable for those who follow lunar events and gravitational effects on Earth. Supermoons—whether new or full—can slightly intensify tides, something coastal communities often pay attention to.
In contrast, Friday’s “celestial smile” offers a whimsical moment of beauty that doesn’t require any equipment to enjoy—just a little planning, some clear weather, and an early wake-up call. If skies are clear in your area, it’s a perfect excuse to step outside, take a quiet moment, and enjoy one of nature’s spontaneous sky shows.
So set your alarms and keep your eyes on the eastern horizon—because the universe is smiling back at us this week.