By Jim Militello | 2025-04-25
"Smiley Face" Over Montreal Sky
On 04/25/2025 05:00 am by Peter Lau | Montreal, Quebec, Canada
When I learned about the "smiley face" of the crescent moon-Venus-Saturn triangle I took it to task to try documenting the event despite the loss of sleep, the fact that moonrise was at 4.40 am (EDT). When I arrived at location (a tard late at 4.45) Venus was already lit up like a light bulb. The crescent moon had emerged but Saturn was playing hide and seek until I got home when I put the images on my computer. That was when a smile broke out on my part. The image shown was taken at 5.00 am, meaning the altitude was 3 degrees. If you could spot the dim Saturn it would be positioned at the same altitude of the crescent moon but to the right. Imagine a not so perfect acute triangle but somewhat obtuse.
Canon EOS 70D and Sigma 150-600mm 1:5-6.3 DG lens
Cropped and enhanced contrast.