Old Moon joins Venus and Saturn (pre-dawn)

After another 24 hours of easterly orbital motion, the old crescent moon will shine between Saturn and much brighter Venus on Friday morning, May 23. Their assemblage above the eastern horizon will offer a nice photo opportunity when composed with some interesting foreground scenery. Venus, the last of the trio to rise, will clear the horizon by about 4 a.m. local time. It will continue to gleam on the moon’s lower left until almost sunrise, but Saturn will fade from sight before then. If Friday brings clouds, don’t worry. On Saturday morning, the moon’s sliver of a crescent will be positioned to the left of Venus with Saturn off to their upper right.