Ugandans will be treated to a spectacular celestial display in the early hours of May 25, 2025, as the waning crescent Moon rises alongside the brilliant planet Venus.
This eye-catching pairing will be visible low in the eastern sky about 30 minutes before sunrise, offering a rare moment of cosmic beauty before the bustle of daybreak.
Adding to the elegance of the scene, Venus will appear near Alpha Librae—also known as Zubenelgenubi—a prominent double star in the constellation Libra.
According to Space.com, a thin waning crescent moon will be near the horizon, with bright Venus nearby.
This will be visible about 30 minutes before sunrise. Venus will also be close to a notable double star.
This close conjunction presents a striking view that both amateur skywatchers and seasoned astronomers will appreciate.
Dr. Oruru Bosco, a respected Ugandan astronomer, says such celestial alignments are a reminder of the intricate dance of our solar system.
He explains that the Moon’s appearance on that morning will be in its waning crescent phase—less than half-illuminated and steadily approaching the new Moon, which falls on May 27.
“The Moon has a life cycle,” Dr Oruru explains. “When it's a new Moon, the sunlight is completely blocked from the Moon, so you cannot see it. As it grows, there will always be a part lit by sunlight.
"When it is less than half, that's a crescent Moon. When it is starting from a very thin Moon and growing, it is a waxing crescent.”
He continues: “When the Moon becomes more than half, it is no longer a crescent but a gibbous Moon. When it reaches full Moon, it then starts to reduce in size. That’s the waning phase. If it is still more than half, it's called a waning gibbous Moon. When it becomes less than half again, it’s a waning crescent.”
On May 25, the Moon will be in the final stages of this cycle, fading to near invisibility in the days that follow.
Venus, often nicknamed the "morning star," will shine brightly beside the Moon in what Dr. Oruru calls a common misconception: “What people call the morning star or evening star is not really a star. It’s a planet—either Venus or Jupiter, depending on the season.”
He says their striking brightness comes from their proximity to Earth. “Apart from the Moon, the brightest objects in the sky are the planets.
What makes them special is they appear bright since they are close. The Moon appears brightest because it’s very close to the Earth.”
To enjoy this sky show, Dr Oruru advises waking early—between 3am and 5am—and finding a clear, dark vantage point with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon.
Unfortunately, the spectacle can only be visible if the sky is clear since clouds can affect visibility.
Many early birds who gazed at the sky in the east in the last couple of days, must have noticed Venus glowing majestically to the east of the moon although the highlight of this will be on May 25.
While both the Moon and Venus are easily visible to the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view, especially of Alpha Librae, the double star nearby.
“When you wake up, you should expect something reddish in colour,” he says. “You must be able to observe this. It will be a very bright object.”
Whether you're an astronomer or a casual sky-gazer, this planetary alignment offers a peaceful moment to look up and marvel at the quiet grandeur of the heavens.
With Venus, the Moon, and Alpha Librae lined up in the pre-dawn stillness, the eastern sky will offer a brief but unforgettable glimpse into the rhythms of the cosmos.