Comet Enthusiast

While Comet
Lovejoy entertained early morning risers in
in the
southern
hemisphere, a
lovely conjunction of
a young crescent Moon and Venus graced western skies at sunset.

Captured on December 26th the conjunction,
with beautiful
sunset colors above and below,
is seen here over Viverone Lake near Turin, Italy.

But if you've been outdoors at all lately enjoying
sunsets on planet Earth, then you've probably noticed Venus low in
the west as the season's
brilliant evening star.

Sometimes mistaken for a terrestrial light
near the horizon,
Venus is the third brightest celestial beacon, after
the Sun and Moon.

That distinction is particularly easy to appreciate in
this peaceful scene.