Florida

What’s that bright light just under the crescent moon? It isn’t a star

South Florida residents enjoyed clear skies revealing a crescent moon and a rare bright Venus, sparking social media buzz.
South Florida residents enjoyed clear skies revealing a crescent moon and a rare bright Venus, sparking social media buzz. jiglesias@miamiherald.com

The clear skies of South Florida made perfect conditions for seeing a beautiful crescent moon Friday. However, residents also got a show of a rare celestial event — a brightly lit Venus.

Social media was abuzz with questions about the bright light just under the moon. No, it isn’t a star or a comet but Venus shining bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Astrologists call the phenomenon a “planet parade,” when the moon and other planets in our solar system can be seen together. Apart from Venus, Saturn may appear visible to the naked eye around January 17th and 18th.

Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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