Upstate New York Night Sky ‘Smiles’ Back At You This Week

A cool celestial event is happening this week in the night sky, and we are in luck. Upstate New Yorkers should have a clear view that will make them grin.

According to Live Science, NASA says a rare event called a triple conjunction is happening early Friday morning, April 25th. That means three bright celestial objects- Venus, Saturn, and a crescent moon will line up super close in the pre-dawn sky. The way they’ll be positioned? It’ll kind of look like a smiley face hovering just above the horizon.

Here in Upstate New York, you’ll want to be facing the eastern sky, just before sunrise, around 5:30 a.m. to spot the show. Sunrise will make it disappear by about 6:30, so it’s a short viewing window.

The moon will look like a thin, glowing smile, with bright Venus and Saturn forming "eyes" in a little triangle. It's a sight you can enjoy with your own two eyes, no telescope needed, but if you’ve got a good pair of binoculars or a telescope handy, you might see even more detail on the moon’s surface or notice Saturn’s golden glow.

And keep an eye out below the trio because if the skies are extra clear and you have a good view of the horizon (think open fields or a lake), you might spot Mercury hanging low in the sky too.

In case you’re wondering, this kind of alignment, where multiple planets and the moon cozy up close in the sky, is called a conjunction. When three get together like this, it’s a triple conjunction, and it's not something that happens every night.

So, set an early alarm, grab some coffee, and step outside for a few peaceful minutes under the stars. With any luck (and some clear skies), the universe just might smile back.