Moon, Venus and Saturn coming together in 'celestial smiley': When and where to watch

Venus, Saturn, and a thin crescent Moon align in the sky, resembling a giant smiley face

Last updated:
Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor
2 MIN READ
A cute celestial "smiley face" will be visible on June 19, 2025 as the Moon curves as the smile, while Venus and Saturn sit above as the eyes just before dawn.
A cute celestial "smiley face" will be visible on June 19, 2025 as the Moon curves as the smile, while Venus and Saturn sit above as the eyes just before dawn.
X | @Rainmaker1973

Up on the roof, there's a show coming up for free, and don't let the world below bother you.

Indeed, a “celestial smiley” moment is coming soon — this time featuring the crescent Moon and Saturn, with bright Venus hovering nearby to complete that “smiley” look.

The show is a rare "triple conjunction" — when Venus, Saturn, and a thin crescent Moon align in the pre-dawn sky, resembling a giant smiley face.

For about 30 to 60 minutes, as the sunrise approaches, Venus will be visible to the naked eye.

Saturn might need binoculars or a small telescope – and the Moon will appear like a smiley –  but overall it’s a treat for early risers, as per Nasa.

What & when

Specifically, on June 19, Nasa expects the Moon (third-quarter) to appear right next to Saturn in the morning hours before dawn. The pair rise in the east together around 1:30 am. 

  • Date: June 19, 2025

  • Event: The third-quarter (half) Moon passes right by Saturn in the pre-dawn sky, with Venus shining below — forming a sky “face” with the Moon as the grin and the planets as eyes.

  • Time: The Moon and Saturn rise together around 1:30 a.m. local time.

Where to watch

Location: It is accessible from anywhere with a clear eastern horizon — rooftops, beaches, open parks, or even your balcony. Light pollution isn't a deal-breaker.

  • Direction: Look east before dawn (around 1:30 am).

  • Location: Accessible from anywhere with a clear eastern horizon.

  • Can be seen from rooftops, beaches, open parks, or even your balcony. 

  • Light pollution may blur this celestial show, but not a deal-breaker.

Duration and visibility

  • The show lasts roughly about 30 to 60 minutes, fading as sunrise approaches, according to Earthsky.

  • What you’ll see: Venus will be visible to the naked eye; Saturn might need binoculars or a small telescope, but overall – and the Moon will appear like a smiley – it’s a treat for early risers, as per Nasa.

Quick tips

  • Set your alarm around 1–1:30 am local time.

  • Clear your eastern horizon — no trees, buildings, or lights blocking your view.

  • Bring binoculars if you have them — they’ll enhance Saturn nicely.

Bottom line 

June 19 offers a cute celestial "smiley face" with a half Moon and Saturn rising together, Venus nearby, and a dawn timer ticking.

If the sky’s clear and you’re up early, you just might catch Mother Nature flashing that grin.

The latest triple conjunction of Venus, Saturn, and the crescent Moon was on April 25, 2025, when they also formed a "smiley face" in the pre-dawn sky.

Before that, the last notable "Moon smiley" happened on May 16, 2020.

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