On Friday, January 31, a crescent moon will join the “planet parade” into February, shining one degree from Saturn. A crescent moon will be visible two degrees from brilliant Venus on Saturday,
February 1st, the following evening. On Wednesday, January 29, the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the “Year of the Snake,”
Will begin, and these breathtaking images will take place only days following the new moon. Its timings are based on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar,
Which uses the moon’s phases and the Earth’s orbit around the sun, and will end with the rise of the full “Snow Moon” on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
