Holly Springs, NC, July 16, 2026 — Residents in Holly Springs, Apex and Fuquay-Varina who step outside shortly after sunset Friday could catch one of the summer’s most striking astronomical sights as a thin crescent Moon appears alongside Venus in the western sky. The pairing, known as a conjunction, will be visible between 9 and 9:30 p.m. EDT, about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset.
To find it, look low toward the western horizon. Venus, often called the “Evening Star” despite being a planet, will be the brightest object in that part of the sky, while the slender crescent Moon will appear about 6 degrees to its left. No special equipment is needed to enjoy the display, although a pair of binoculars can reveal additional detail and allow both objects to be viewed together in a single field of view.
Skywatchers should also look for earthshine, the faint glow illuminating the Moon’s dark side. The phenomenon occurs when sunlight reflects off Earth and softly lights the portion of the Moon not directly illuminated by the Sun, making it most noticeable during thin crescent phases shortly after sunset or before sunrise…