‘Rare Smiley Face’ in the Sky: Check Date, Time, and How to Watch from India

The sky is full of wonders, from the twinkling stars to the majestic planets. This year, we witnessed two planetary alignments on January 25 and February 28, 2025, which made us appreciate our universe's vastness and beauty even more.

Similarly, if you are an astronomy enthusiast, then April 25, 2025, is going to be a date you won't want to miss, as it will mark the next rare alignment of Venus, Saturn, and the crescent Moon.

This triple conjunction of these three celestial bodies will be seen with the naked eye in the early morning sky, creating a rare 'smiley face' formation that will surely captivate stargazers everywhere.

Additionally, according to NASA, this striking event will be visible worldwide to those with a clear view of the eastern horizon. This alignment will take place in the early morning hours of Friday, April 25, 2025, and will be a spectacular sight for anyone interested in astronomy or celestial events.

Smiley Face Alignment: Date, Time, & Best Viewing Tips and Locations

The rare Smiley Face conjunction will appear in the sky early this Friday, April 25th, around 5:30 in the morning. This means that you'll only have about an hour to see it before the sun comes up and makes it too bright.

To see it best, look towards the east where the sun will rise. Try to find a spot where you have a clear view without any trees or buildings blocking your sight.

If the sky is clear, you should be able to easily see two bright spots – that's Venus and Saturn making the "eyes" of the smiley face. The Moon will be the curved "smile". If you have a telescope or binoculars, you might get a better look at the shape of the Moon.

If you're really lucky, you might even spot Mercury below the smiley face, but it will be very close to the horizon, so it might be tricky to see.

Smiley Face in the Pre-dawn Sky: Will It be Visible From India?

Yes, the rare 'smiley face' planetary alignment on April 25th will be visible from India. If you’ve clear skies and an unobstructed view towards the eastern horizon before sunrise, you can watch it crystal clear.

Here's what you need to know to see it from India:

• Date and Time: The unique spectacle is expected to come together around 5:30 a.m. local time on Friday, April 25, 2025. You'll have a viewing window of about an hour before the rising sun makes it too difficult to see.
• Direction: Look towards the eastern horizon. This is the direction from which the sun will rise.

What you'll see:

• Venus: Will be the highest and brightest of the trio, forming one of the 'eyes' of the smiley face.
• Saturn: Will appear slightly lower than Venus and will be the other 'eye'. It will be fainter than Venus.
• Crescent Moon: A thin crescent moon will be positioned below Venus and Saturn, creating the 'smile'.

How to watch:

• Naked eye: Venus and the crescent Moon should be easily visible with the naked eye. Saturn will also be visible without any equipment, though it will be less bright.
• Binoculars or a small telescope: These will enhance your viewing experience, allowing you to see the crescent shape of the Moon more clearly and potentially reveal more detail.
• Location: Find a location with a clear and open view of the eastern horizon. Minimise light pollution from city lights for the best visibility. Obstructions like tall buildings or trees will hinder your view.
• Possibility of Mercury: If you have a very clear and unobstructed view low on the eastern horizon, you might also spot Mercury below the 'smiley face'. However, it will be close to the horizon and may be difficult to see.

What is Triple Conjunction? What Makes This Rare 'Cosmic Smile' So Unique?

In English, ‘Conjunction’ means “the action or an instance of two or more events or things occurring at the same point in time or space”. Similarly, in the field of astronomy, when two or more celestial bodies appear very close together, this is called a conjunction. 

However, if three celestial objects align closely, which is a very rare phenomenon, it’s known as a triple conjunction. This triple conjunction is unique because the alignment of Venus, Saturn, and the crescent Moon will strikingly resemble a "smiley face". 

Venus and Saturn will act as the "eyes", with the delicate crescent Moon forming the "smile". This whimsical and easily recognisable pattern makes it a particularly engaging event. 

This charming event occurs just after the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower (around April 21-22), which is known for producing up to 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. With the planetary alignment, this week will be especially exciting for astronomy enthusiasts.