Stargazers Alert: Crescent Moon Dances with Mars and Reveals Lunar ‘Scar’ in May 2025

Get ready for a celestial treat this May! The crescent moon is putting on a show, offering spectacular views just after sunset. But there's more than meets the eye: keep an eye out for Mare Crisium, a lunar 'scar', and a close encounter with Mars.

On May 30, 2025, skywatchers were treated to a stunning view of the waxing crescent moon, approximately 30 degrees above the western horizon. About 16% of the lunar surface was illuminated, showcasing the dark oval-shaped expanse of Mare Crisium, a Nevada-sized patch etched onto the moon's surface. This 'Sea of Crises' is actually a vast basaltic plain formed billions of years ago by molten lava, a visible reminder of the moon's violent past. Binoculars or a telescope will enhance the viewing experience, revealing details like the Picard Crater.

The **Moon** is tidally locked to our planet. As the moon makes its month-long journey, a myriad of different regions and features come into stark relief, changing night by night. The dark lunar maria (Latin for 'seas) are formed when molten lava flooded a network of impact basins that scarred the moon's surface billions of years ago. These lava flows swiftly cooled in the frigid environment of space, leaving behind vast basaltic plains that remain easily visible to the naked eye today.

For those familiar with the sky, keep an eye out for earthshine, where sunlight reflected off Earth faintly illuminates the moon's night side. The moon was located in the constellation Cancer, near the Beehive cluster, with Mars shining nearby.

But there's more! The real highlight occurs on May 31st. The crescent moon will appear very close to the red planet, Mars.

The moon will “skip over” Mars between the nights of May 31 and June 1, appearing larger each night as it heads towards its first quarter phase. On May 31st, stargazers can find the moon roughly 35 degrees above the western horizon an hour after sunset. Mars will be a reddish point of light approximately 7 degrees to the upper left of the moon.
On June 1, stargazers can see moon skipping past Mars to appear on the Red Planet's upper left, with a little over 5 degrees separating the two solar system bodies.

If you want to see the planets of our solar system, the Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality views of celestial objects.

Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a casual observer, this celestial dance offers something for everyone. Don't miss your chance to witness these breathtaking events!

Did you catch the moon and Mars conjunction? Share your photos and observations in the comments below!

• Astronomy
• Mars
• Moon