If the sky seems a little friendlier this week, there’s a good reason. Just before dawn on Friday, April 25, a rare planetary alignment will give Long Islanders a chance to spot what’s being called a smiley face moon, a fleeting triple conjunction of Venus, Saturn, and a thin crescent moon.
NASA and skywatchers worldwide are buzzing about the early morning display, which will appear as a slanted triangle low in the eastern sky—like a celestial emoji sent from the cosmos.
Here on Long Island, early birds (or night owls) can catch the cosmic grin starting around 5:30 a.m., with the show wrapping up fast as sunrise approaches around 6:15 a.m.
How to Spot the Celestial Smiley Face Moon
You don’t need a telescope or high-tech gear to enjoy this event. The key is finding an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon—think beaches like Robert Moses, the boardwalk in Long Beach, or even a quiet field in eastern Suffolk.
At the right moment, you’ll see:
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Venus as the brightest “eye,” shining like a gemstone in the pre-dawn sky.
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Saturn, dimmer but still visible to the naked eye, forming the other eye in the triangle.
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A waning crescent moon, hovering just below the two planets, acting as the upturned smile.
If skies are clear, you might also glimpse earthshine—a ghostly glow on the dark side of the moon caused by sunlight reflecting off Earth.
As a bonus, Mercury may also make a low appearance near the horizon beneath the trio—though you’ll need very clear skies and good timing to spot it.
Will It Really Look Like a Smiley Face?
Well… kind of. Let’s call the smiley face moon a “cosmic suggestion” of a smile. Unlike the perfect digital emojis circulating on social media, the real-life version will be a bit more abstract:
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The “eyes” aren’t quite symmetrical—Venus will shine much brighter than Saturn.
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The whole formation will lean sideways, thanks to the Earth’s rotation and our perspective here in the Northern Hemisphere.
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But even with these quirks, the impression is real—and rare.
Where and When to See the Smiley Face Moon on Long Island
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When: Friday, April 25, 2025
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Best viewing time: ~5:30 a.m. to 6:15 a.m.
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Where to look: Low on the eastern horizon—beachfronts, harbors, and hilltops offer the clearest views
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Weather forecast: Check the latest sky conditions the night before; even a thin layer of cloud can obscure the view
Why This Matters for Skywatchers
Triple conjunctions like this don’t happen often—and when they do, they’re not always visible from everywhere. This one is brief, low to the horizon, and just unusual enough to create buzz among amateur astronomers and casual stargazers alike.
And Long Island—surrounded by water and blessed with more open sky than many urban centers—is actually one of the better places to view it in the Tri-State area.
A Quick Note on Timing
This moment in the sky comes just days after the Lyrid meteor shower peaks on April 21–22. While the meteor activity will be tapering off by Friday, there’s a slim chance of catching a straggler meteor as you scan the sky.
So if you’re already setting your alarm to chase the smiley face moon, you may catch a few surprises more.
Bottom Line: Set Your Alarm and Look East For the Smiley Face Moon
On the morning of April 25, the sky above Long Island will offer a gentle reminder to smile—even before your first cup of coffee. Venus, Saturn, and the Moon will align for a brief, whimsical display that sky lovers won’t want to miss: the smiley face moon.
So grab your camera, your binoculars, or just a warm cup of tea, and head outside before sunrise.
Because on Long Island, even the sky knows how to start the day with a grin.
Photo by Ludvig Hedenborg.
