Watch for a close conjunction of a slim crescent moon and the brilliant planet Venus, high in the western sky after sunset this evening, if skies are clear. Just three days past new, the moon may show some "Earthshine" - a faint illumination of the dark portion of the moon, courtesy of sunlight reflected onto the moon from the day side of the Earth. With luck and clear air, you might also be able to spot tiny, star-like Mercury, well below Venus and to right, close to the horizon.
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