The three-day-old waxing crescent moon will block D.C.’s view of Venus during daylight hours Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Got binoculars? A telescope? If you do, haul them out Wednesday afternoon to observe the three-day-old waxing crescent moon occult<\/a> \u2014 block D.C.\u2019s view \u2014 of Venus during daylight hours.<\/p>\n Viewing the event with no optical aid or smartphone\/camera to assist would be difficult.<\/p>\n In-the-Sky.org<\/a> states that, \u201cThe occultation will be visible from Washington, D.C. It will begin with the disappearance of Venus behind the moon at 3:48 EDT, in daylight. Its reappearance will be visible at 5:13 EDT, in daylight. Extreme caution is necessary when pointing binoculars or telescopes at the sky when the Sun is above the horizon, as even a momentary glance at the Sun through such an instrument can cause permanent blindness.\u201d<\/p>\n You can get times for other locations on the group\u2019s website.<\/p>\n The sun will be to the west of the moon and Venus, so you must ensure you do not view that section of the sky. You will get a better, and safer, view if you can observe the occultation with the sun blocked from view by a tree or building. Read more viewing safety tips on SpaceWeather.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Around 3:15 pm. the moon will be just to the left (east) of due south and roughly seven fist-widths<\/a> held at arm\u2019s length above the southern horizon.<\/p>\n This rare occultation event is worthy of taking an astropic with your smartphone using zoom, or through a digital camera with a telephoto lens and a telescope.<\/p>\n If you do not have binoculars or a telescope, use a low zoom setting to try and locate the moon by slowly sweeping the described section of the sky. The moon will be visible as a crescent in a blue sky and bright Venus will be to the lower left of the moon.<\/p>\n A telescope would work best for close up pics but using zoom\/telephoto will work, especially using a tripod or bracing yourself against a building or car to steady your camera. Take multiple pics of the disappearance and reappearance.<\/p>\n If you have a clear view of the western horizon at dusk on Wednesday, look for the slim crescent moon just to the upper left of Venus. Use Venus as a guide to find the moon. Look for earthshine<\/a> on the moon. This is also worthy of taking an astropic with your smartphone and\/or digital camera.<\/p>\n