Early risers were treated to a rare celestial spectacle on Friday as Venus, Saturn, and a slender crescent Moon aligned to form a "smiley face" in the sky just before sunrise.
This fleeting astronomical event, known as a triple conjunction, was visible for about an hour starting around 5:30 am IST. The crescent Moon created the "smile," while Venus and Saturn served as the "eyes" of the face.
Venus, shining at its brightest for the year, was the higher and more prominent "eye," with Saturn sitting lower and appearing fainter. The best chance to witness this rare alignment was to find a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, though the rising Sun quickly obscured the formation.