Moon will block D.C.'s view of Venus during daylight hours on Wednesday; occultation begins at 3:48 EDT.

On Wednesday, June 17th, skywatchers in Washington, D.C. will witness a rare celestial event as a three-day-old waxing crescent moon obscures Venus during daylight hours. The occultation begins at 3:48 EDT, with Venus disappearing behind the moon, and reappearing at 5:13 EDT.¹²³

This event is particularly notable as the moon will be 3.1 days old and 11% illuminated, providing a unique opportunity for daytime observation. Fortunately, the moon's solar elongation will be 38°, allowing viewers to observe without the risk of glare or eye damage.

However, extreme caution is advised when using binoculars or telescopes during daylight, as even a brief glance at the sun can lead to permanent blindness. The event is part of a larger phenomenon, as much of North America will have the chance to see the moon occult Venus in the daytime sky.⁴

For those in other locations, such as Chicago, the moon will touch Venus at 2:24 p.m. local time, taking approximately 27 seconds to completely cover the illuminated portion, with Venus appearing to rise at the moon's bright limb shortly after.