Watford Crescent Moon next to Venus in the sky tonight

Members of the Watford Observer Camera Club took some cracking pictures as residents and motorists marvelled at the evening sky showing a beautiful meeting between the Waxing Crescent Moon and the planet Venus.

Angela Scott, Watford Observer Camera Club member, took this image of the Crescent Moon over Watford tonight. (Image: Angela Scott)

A similar display is expected tomorrow night when Venus – known as the Evening Star – is likely to be much closer to the moon.

The 16.5% Waxing Crescent Moon and Venus on Friday night over Watford. (Image: Claire Tessier) The light from a Waxing Crescent Moon is a sliver of silver that appears when the illuminated side of the moon faces away from earth. 

It happens once a month during the second phase of the moon’s cycle, and appears in the western sky after sunset.

The moon’s phases are caused by its position relative to the sun as it orbits Earth – with the four main phases occurring about a week apart. Its cycle repeats every 29.5 days, and includes eight phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. 

Carol Ann Finch took this image of the Crescent Moon over Watford tonight. (Image: Carol Ann Finch) This week stargazers would have spotted not just Venus but also Saturn as the brightest stars closest to the moon.

The year started with a bang with the Quadrantids, one of the strongest and most reliable yearly meteor showers active until January 12 and “famous for its ‘fireballs’, exceptionally bright meteors”, according to the Greenwich Observatory.

Rory Robinson, Watford Observer Camera Club member, took this image of the Crescent Moon over Watford tonight. (Image: Rory Robinson) ​A statement advises: “In 2025 the Quadrantids peak on the night of 4 January, with a possible rate of up to 120 meteors per hour at the maximum. The waxing crescent Moon might drown out a few of the fainter meteors on this night, though luckily it will set below the horizon just before 10 pm from the UK. 

“To see this shower bundle up nice and warm, find a dark location free from light pollution, and fill your eyesight with as much of the sky as possible. To work out if you’ve seen a Quadrantid meteor trace it back to its radiant point, which should be in the northern part of the constellation Boötes.”

Lynda Bullock, Watford Observer Camera Club member, took this image of the Crescent Moon over Watford tonight. (Image: Lynda Bullock)

Elaine Burton, Watford Observer Camera Club member, took this image of the Crescent Moon over Watford tonight. (Image: Elaine Burton)