North Dakota’s Early Risers Get a Front-Row Seat to the Smiley Face Moon

I heard on ABC News this morning that a unique celestial event is coming up on Friday. It's called a smiley face moon. I have never heard of it, so I thought I would get some more information on it.

Smiley Face Moon: Rare Celestial Emoji to Light Up Friday Morning Sky

According to earthsky.com, it turns out, the smiley face moon isn’t just an adorable nickname. It’s actually a rare triple conjunction involving Venus, Saturn, and the moon. On Friday morning, just before the sun peeks over the horizon, the sky will briefly serve up a giant emoji.

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The thin crescent moon will act as the smiling mouth, with Venus and Saturn beaming down as bright “eyes.” It’s basically the universe’s way of saying, “Hey, you're doing great!”

No Neon Grin, But the Sky’s Subtle Smirk Is Still Pretty Neat

Now, before you expect a full-blown celestial cartoon, keep in mind this won’t look quite like those viral images floating around online. Don’t expect a neon smile in the sky. It’s more of a subtle smirk than a cheesy grin. Still, it’s pretty neat.

Look East Before Sunrise April 25—Coffee and Patience Required

For the best view, look east about an hour before sunrise on April 25. You’ll need a clear horizon, a bit of patience, and possibly some strong coffee. The old crescent moon will be low in the sky, so you may have to do a little sky scavenger hunt—but it’ll be worth it.

The forecast for early Friday morning looks to be fairly clear, so set your alarm, grab your binoculars, and enjoy a moment of planetary cheer. After all, it’s not every day the solar system will kick off your day with a smile.