Venus and the Moon Conjunction on January 3, 2025

On the evening of January 3, 2025, a conjunction of Venus and the Moon was visible in Belgium. This stunning alignment, visible in the southwestern sky just after sunset, brought together the brilliant Evening Star and the delicate crescent Moon in a breathtaking display.

Using a Canon EOS 80D equipped with a 300mm zoom lens, I managed to capture two photographs of this enchanting scene using my Canon EOS 80D. The 300mm zoom lens provided the perfect focal length to frame both celestial bodies in a single shot, highlighting their proximity and the subtle glow of earthshine.

Earthshine adds a magical touch to lunar photography. It occurs when sunlight reflects off the Earth's surface and illuminates the dark side of the Moon, creating a ghostly glow. This effect is best seen during the crescent phases of the Moon, when the contrast between the illuminated and dark portions is most pronounced. In my photographs, the earthshine was clearly visible, adding depth and dimension to the images.