Planets to align in a rare formation resembling a "smiley face" on April 25

 Get ready to witness a celestial spectacle as a rare triple planetary conjunction is set to brighten the early morning skies of Friday, April 25 — and it’s expected to resemble a smiley face!

According to LiveScience, the planets Venus and Saturn will align closely with a crescent Moon, creating a triangular formation that appears like a cheerful smile in the sky. Venus and Saturn will act as the “eyes”, while the slender crescent Moon will form the smiling “mouth”.

This rare alignment will be visible to the naked eye across the globe — including here in Qatar — provided the skies are clear. For the best view, stargazers are encouraged to look towards the eastern horizon approximately one hour before sunrise.

What is a Triple Conjunction?
A triple conjunction occurs when three celestial bodies appear close together in the sky. While conjunctions between two objects are relatively common, having three align so closely is rare and special.

“Venus is higher above the eastern horizon with Saturn lower, and a thin, crescent Moon a bit farther north,” said NASA Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson. “The thin crescent looks like a smile. To some people, the triangle of bright objects may appear as a smiley face.”

How to Watch the Celestial Smile
You won’t need any special equipment to enjoy this cosmic event — Venus and Saturn will be clearly visible to the unaided eye. However, binoculars or a small telescope can enhance the view, especially for observing the delicate crescent of the Moon.

If you’re lucky and have an unobstructed view, you might even spot Mercury shining faintly below the planetary trio.