‘Smiley face’ from space will be visible worldwide Friday — thanks to rare planetary alignment

Skywatchers worldwide are in for a charming cosmic display before the Sun rises Friday, as three celestial bodies will appear in close conjunction.

The arrangement of Venus, Saturn and a slender crescent Moon will create a unique visual phenomenon resembling a smiling face in the sky, according to NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson.

The two planets will act as the “eyes” of the “smile,” with the delicate crescent Moon forming the “mouth,” Culbertson detailed. Venus will be the brighter of the two planets. 

This alignment will be visible to anyone who has a clear view of the eastern horizon before sunrise.

“I checked Stellarium software, and I went to different points on Earth, and it’s a global thing,” Culbertson noted to FOX Weather. “So anyone on Earth should be able to see it if you are in a good position.”

Three celestial bodies will appear in close conjunction before the sun rises on Friday, creating a set of “eyes” and a “smile.” Brenda Culbertson via Stellarium

The viewing window will only be about an hour or two due to the Moon rising relatively close to sunrise. William Thornton – stock.adobe.com

While the event is not considered a major astronomical occurrence like a total solar eclipse, it offers a beautiful and unusual sight for early risers. 

The viewing window will be limited, as the Moon rises relatively close to sunrise, allowing for potentially only an hour or two to witness the smile from the heavens.

The “smiley face” conjunction adds to a series of celestial events captivating stargazers this month. Notably, the Lyrid meteor shower peaked Monday night.