Rare daytime crescent Venus sighting over UAE captured

Astronomers in the UAE celebrated a rare sighting of Venus in daylight on March 23, 2025. The Al Khatm Astronomical Observatory in the Abu Dhabi desert captured this moment during an event called inferior conjunction. At 9:18 AM UAE time, Venus was positioned between Earth and the Sun. This alignment usually makes Venus appear as a small dot. However, due to its orbital tilt, the planet was seen as a crescent, similar to the Moon. The observatory used a 14-inch telescope to photograph the event. Despite cloudy and rainy weather, the astronomers found brief openings in the clouds to document the crescent shape of Venus. The sighting lasted only a few minutes. Venus, known as Earth's sister planet, goes through phases like the Moon. These phases vary depending on Venus's position relative to Earth and the Sun. Observing Venus in daylight is quite rare and requires precise timing and advanced equipment. The image and video were taken by Engineer Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, the observatory's director. He was supported by a team of engineers, showcasing their skill and teamwork in capturing this stunning celestial event.