Venus spotted shining brightly in the night sky above the moon TONIGHT

As evening twilight darkened on Friday, January 3, Venus and the moon were visible to the naked eye in the south-west night sky. 

Venus, which has a diameter of 12,103.6 km and is the second closest planet to the sun could be seen floating above the moon just hours after sunset this evening.

(Image: NQ)

Many people took to social media to share photos of the stunning sight across Lancashire and Greater Manchester. 

Shining bright over the Sunnyhurst pub in Darwen (Image: Submit)

Photo taken in Horwich at about 6pm (Image: Submit)

(Image: Julie Smith) Professor Christopher Collins, a emeritus astrophysics professor from Liverpool John Moores University said: “Venus is the second planet from the sun, so  you can’t see the surface as its covered in noxious gasses. Sometimes it gets so bright it casts a shadow.

“The moon waxes and wanes, which means more of the surface becomes covered on different nights. A waxing moon means more of its face is getting covered, a waning moon is when this goes the other way and the light crescent is getting smaller.

“Also visible in the sky tonight is Jupiter, so stargazing fans are in for a treat.

“There’s also a meteor shower tonight, The Quadrantids, so normally shooting stars appear randomly in the sky. But the meteor shower looks like it’s coming from the same point. It will take place towards the Big Dipper.”

(Image: Rachel Chapman) (Image: Sarah Louise Eckersley) (Image: Tracy Ann Sheppard) Adele Thompson

(Image: Two for the Road) (Image: Kelly Hall) (Image: Karen Bye)

Gemma Jones from Chorley (Image: Gemma Jones) (Image: Kellie McLeod)

Faheem Akhtar, from Aberdeen (Image: Faheem Akhtar) Andy Croton, taken at 5.30

Claire Lord Warwick (Image: Claire Lord Warwick) (Image: Rio Adam) (Image: Tracy Ann Sheppard) (Image: Rachel Chapman)

Send your photos to Leah.Collins@nqnw.co.uk