Starwatch: all lined up – the Moon, Venus and Pollux

For the whole of this week, Venus continues to be the most noticeable object in the western evening sky, despite its low altitude. On the evening of 16 June, it is joined by a thin crescent moon. Only 13.1% of the moon’s surface will be illuminated by the sun. The chart shows the positions at 22.00 BST on 16 June. The moon and Venus sit within the confines of Cancer, the Crab, but form an almost horizontal line with Pollux, the brightest star in the constellation Gemini, the twins. Despite it still being a thin crescent, the moon is already three days into the current lunar month with new moon having taken place on 13 June. Earth’s natural satellite will now brighten rapidly until, in four days time, it will be at first quarter (half moon). A week later, on 27 June, it will be full. The two weeks after that will see the moon progress through its waning phase, reaching its last quarter on 5 July.