Astrophotographers capture Venus' colorful crescent near Earth

Venus is approaching its closest point to Earth, known as inferior conjunction, and this has allowed astrophotographers to capture stunning images of the planet. As of March 23, Venus will be directly between Earth and the sun, making it hard to see. Recent photos show Venus as a slim crescent, sometimes appearing like a colorful rainbow in space. On March 8, astrophotographer Douglas Kostyk took a remarkable picture of Venus while only 7% of the planet was visible. The vibrant colors are created by Earth’s atmosphere, which splits light like a prism. Other photographers have also captured this unique effect. Kevin R. Witman took a different image from Pennsylvania, showing inverted colors. Meanwhile, Raffaello Lena filmed the planet near Rome, where atmospheric conditions made the crescent look as if it was "on fire." Venus has been very bright lately, attracting astronomy enthusiasts since February. It took part in a rare planetary parade where it appeared next to the moon and other planets. Although the parade is over, several planets will still be easier to see in the upcoming weeks. Venus will soon start to change appearance again as it moves past inferior conjunction. It goes through this cycle roughly every 18 months, with the next inferior conjunction set for October 24, 2026.