What is the rare 'smiley face' in the sky and how to view it
Two planets and the Moon will align
We've been very lucky over the last few months with the planet parade of seven planets appearing in the sky at once, a rare total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse.
This week we will be treated to a rare smiley face arrangement in the sky, made up of two planets and the Moon, as they rise just before sunrise on Friday 25th April.
While the headlines that have been grabbing everyone's attention has promised a smiley face in the sky, how likely are we to see it and what exactly will it look like? Find out more here...
What is the smiley face?
The smiley face will consist of a crescent Moon making up the smile, as it rises in the East just before sunrise. The two 'eyes' will be made up of the planets Venus and Saturn.
This week, Venus has been a morning object, rising at 5am BST, around an hour before the Sun does just before 6am. On 25th April, the Moon and Venus will rise together, with Venus forming the right eye.
Meanwhile, Saturn should form the left eye of this celestial arrangement. All being well, Saturn, which will be much fainter than Venus, will be visible when it rises after the Moon and Venus.
What will it look like?
While many places are describing it as a smiley face, it won't look exactly as you might be expecting. The 'face' will be on its side, so if you're looking to the East to view it, you will need to tilt your head to the right to view the 'face'.
Where will it be visible?
If the weather is good, and you have a clear view of the horizon in the East, the 'face' will be visible before sunrise, starting with the Moon and Venus rising at around 5am.
How to improve your chances of seeing it
For your best chance to view the smiley face, apart from good weather, you will need a clear view of the Eastern horizon from 5am.
Due to the proximity to the Sun, which will rise shortly after the Moon and planets, you must take extra care as the sky brightens, not to look at the rising Sun. Never use a telescope or binoculars to view the Moon or planets when they are so close to the Sun in the sky.
As well as this rare smiley face, we are coming to the end of the Lyrid meteor shower, which happens between 16th - 25th April every year.
Take a look at look through some tips for viewing meteors, also known as shooting stars:
1. Dark sky
You might not realise how much light pollution there is in your neighbourhood, find out more about light pollution and where you can find a really dark sky here.
Allow your eyes 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Don't forget that the moon can also interfere so try to avoid times when it is visible.
2. Date and time
To increase your chances of seeing some meteors make sure you find out the best time to look for them. Often it is when the sky is at its darkest (in the middle of the night), or if there is a meteor shower, when the radiant (where the meteors come from - the constellation Leo) is high in the sky.
3. Look in the right area
It sounds obvious, but the sky is a very large area and meteors are very fast! Make sure you know which area of the sky you should be looking in. The Perseids come from Perseus, the easiest way to find it would be to use a free sky map app on your phone.
4. Good weather
Again, it seems obvious, but there's no point in standing in the cold when it's cloudy. Check the weather forecast before going outside, and if it's going to be clear later on then wait until then if you can.
5. Don't use a telescope or binoculars
Using a telescope or binoculars will DECREASE your chances of seeing a meteor. Meteors are so quick that you are likely to miss them if you don't use the naked eye. Save your telescope or binoculars for the moon or planets.
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