The Crescent Moon and the “Evening Star”
We received a “front-row seat” last Sunday evening, May 16, 2010 to a common and yet always awesome sight – the “evening star” visibly sitting on top of a crescent moon. People were abuzz both offline and online as people took photos of this astrological occurrence and posted it on social media sites.
The “evening star” is, as many may know already, the planet Venus. As community member Wiser explains in a question, Venus is the brightest object in the night sky after Moon so people thought in the early days (before we has astronomy) it was a star.
Actually, when Venus is seen in the easter sky before the sunrise it is referred to as a “morning star” and when it is seen in the evening in the west after sunset (similar to what just happened last night) it’s called an “evening star.”
How does this happen, that Venus appears as a star? Nuscorpi223 explained that it’s because Venus’ orbit lies inside Earth’s orbit around the Sun. When the orbit of Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun, it also reflects the light of the Sun to earth so that when it moves from the evening to the morning sky, it becomes very visible to us and appears as a “star”.
To people who have just seen this, one question that may be on your mind is if there’s any significance to the crescent moon and Venus being so close together. Don’t worry, this natural phenomenon has no effect on Earth. Community member podi shared that planetary alignments have been happening for the longest time and there’s never been a documented effect to our planet.
But have you ever wondered why the crescent moon and star has come to symbolize Islam? This was asked by bettycatmouse and Schneb gave the best answer. He said the crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Most sources say that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of the sun, moon and sky gods. In this Wikipedia article, it says that possibly the symbol became associated with the Muslim faith when the Ottoman Empire became affiliated with the Muslim world.
If you missed seeing the crescent moon and “evening star” last night, don’t worry. Just click here and check out the different photos submitted in Flickr.
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rather than tell us what we missed, beter to tell us way in advance to share the delight
How true indeed Peter!
agree!
Have seen it but didn’t knew that it was venus
Can anyone explain to me why couldn’t I see it it’s not fair. As much as I know it, I think it will only happpen in a long time. Since it issuch a rare sight. I wonder how it happens because none of my science book that it ever happened in history.Well maybe it is very rare.
Maybe I don’t undestand because I am just a kid.
u said that moon and venus met together.
but venus is not a planet. if u know it good! cause if u learn about planets.. u may know. so TRY HARDER!!!!!!!!!!!!
yup, agreed, too. why are they telling us what we missed? i would really like to see the evening star and they are telling us about the things that we missed?
this is a sign from allah. (islam god) shows hows is the star and cresent moon looks like in real.
Saw it from the river side while fishing. Caught nothing. Blame it on Venus.
hainz….always got cold news fr yahoo, make me dun feel like view it.
Tsk!
Anyway, will it happen again soon?
i am surprised such good information is not shared in news or tv or papers well in advance!!! when i saw this headline, i thought it would be this coming sunday! this is very disappointing. no wonder singaporeans are getting less knowledgeable.
Ya, why are they always telling us only after it happens? Can’t they tell us in advance so that we can get a chance to look at this rare sight too.
Disappointed.
Can`t believed i really saw it !! After school !!!
i didnt noe abt this until now. they should have informed us earlier
Every last quarter of full moon, we can see the different position, one of the astronology and oldest day, if the last quarter of the full moon and the position is likely a bowl, they’ve got sign and meaning on it. those people who saw it, on last sunday they are lucky.
It’s nice to see such a scene. Perhaps it would happen again next month. :d
love with me
pleas help me about islam
i live in singapore but did not receive any news that this sight was to happen and that night was a rainy night.How to know and to withness? Thank you for sharing this news but im sad to know i had missed it.
[...] last night, don’t worry. Just click here and check out the different photos submitted in Flickr. Yahoo! Singapore Answers blog Blog Archive The Crescent Moon and the “Evening Star” Sponsored Links: innity_pub = "0aa1883c6411f7873cb83dacb17b0afc"; innity_zone = "3041"; [...]
@waqas How would you want to receive help? approach a mosque could help to solve
@The Crescent Moon and the “Evening Star” – PC SHOW 2010 Pricelist | COMPUTEX 2010 | VRForums Thank you but the feeling of seeing it is different.
[...] Yahoo! Singapore Answers blog » Blog Archive » The Crescent Moon … [...]
i was amazed when i saw that view from the sky last night… it`s my first time to see it… it was very beautiful…
how come this blog was been posted in edited version… it was first posted at yahoo Philippines… and was posted her at yahoo Singapore with an edited version… so which is which, whos telling the story first..
Someone mention Venus is NOT a planet. I was confused for a while….Well, Venus is the second-closest planet to the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
And Moon is natural satellite of earth…:-)
Allah my foot. I believe in a God and am a methodist. Venus also appears as a morning star besides being the evening star. The majority of Singaporeans are v.stupid.
such a beautiful sight on a beautiful evening, too bad too sad some people missed it…
Omg if i saw that on monday does that count?
Karin Fu, pls be gracious and not post such rude comments in such a diverse community.
Karin Fu you need not be so excited, dont have to be so agitated. Dont taske religous harmony for granted.
OK you methodist is very clever happy now ?
i agree with @rage. karin fu needs to be more respectful and careful with her words.
- BABAJI-
The view is definitely beautiful, and not many time we have the chance to see something like this. Just want to add on regard the moon and star symbolize Islam.
The symbol is not the main faith of a muslims, as we do not pray to the moon nor star but only to the Almighty Allah. And the teaching of Islam has nvr mention of us muslims to just appreciate the moon or star, but we should appreciate everything that is given to us in this life to do good, and preventing sins. I believe that every religion in this world teaches the same, for all mankind to do good deeds. so do not condemn each other religion as it’s a signs of disrespecting others belief. may every mankind have peace and harmony.
Karin fu you are amongst the minority of idiots who needs to be taught how to respect people believes
Karin Fu, is that the manners they teach u in your methodist religion?
I saw similar a phenomena last night in Hanoi sky and wonder whether it’s still the moon and venus!
Btw., Venus is definitely still a planet and moon is a satellite.
No worries guys. The next show is on Monday, 14 June. Watch out for it after sunset. The Moon will be about 2 days old – a crescent that will greet you with a smile. Venus will be just above the crescent, if you are observing in the equatorial regions, such as Singapore.
Best wishes and clear skies.
To Rage, TL, Jackass, Silverferro got ability put your full name with NRIC & address. If not you people are COWARDS who can only talk and hide behind and anonymous name. Jackass is an ass as your name sugget. You people are the ones who needs to be taught manners. Want to sing of allah or your God do it elsewhere not in such a diverse community.
Sorry for my earlier comment. Just would like to clarify I have no intention of sparkling religious discords and do not want to start one at risk of my own family’s name. Also would like to take back my comment that the majority of Singaporeans are v.stupid. I have my own believes and others have theirs. Silverferr, JackASS, TL, Rage got guts put your real name if not I dont think you are in position to say anything about me. Thank you.
I take back what I have said earlier as well. I want to edit after I post but cant do so. Polly is the one who is stupid.
Guys don’t forget the Singapore pledge.
“We. The citizen of Singapore. Pledge Ourselves as ONE UNITED PEOPLE. Regardless of RACE, LANGUAGE or RELIGION. To be a Democratic Society, base on Justice and Equality. So as to achieve Happiness, Prosperity, and Progress for Our NATION.”
Karin Fu thank you for taking back your comment that majority of Singaporean is stupid. My respond to you is not about guts and i respect your believes. But in respond to your unrequired comment as a Singaporean i have every right to demand respect from you. Cheers and be happy
[...] Yahoo! Singapore Answers blog » Blog Archive » The Crescent Moon … [...]
[...] Yahoo! Singapore Answers blog » Blog Archive » The Crescent Moon … [...]
Hey guys, just for sharing.. The Cresent and the Stars predates to the time after the last prophet,Muhammad. It does not symbolise Allah, its a symbol of the religion, islam. At those time when the Christians(The cross) and Jew(The star) had their own symbol, thus The cresent and the star becomes the symbol of Islam. But the symbol is just associated with Islam, and it is forbidden for muslim to raise the Cresnt-star as a holy item. and to clarify, since the begining, like the Jews and Christians, Muslim does not worship nor pray to the moon nor starts
Cheers
You tell ‘em Karin Fu!
Everyone is entitled to having their own opinion, if you don’t like what others have to say then don’t bother reading it. Why bother yourselves…
Cheers to Radius for having better explanation on the misconception on the Cresnt-star.
There’s nothing wrong to share each other religion belief as for all of us to have better understanding to live together in a harmony and peaceful society.
Everyone have their own right to belief what they’ve been taught, therefore there’s no need to condemn others if they don’t believe. PEACE!!
I’m a Christian but I don’t believe in astrology. However, I do believe in signs that are related to prophetic messages.
In prophecy, the sun means father, the moon means mother. Planet Venus is the second planet in line from the sun, which means the second born son.
When the sun is blocked by the earth, the moon will not give light and hence darkness prevails. And the second son will climb above the mother and create havoc on earth.
So everybody, who do you think does the second son refers to? Search the Bible, the Word of Truth for answers.
Hey editor!? I did post a comment on Bible prophetic signs on the crescent moon and planet Venus. Why isn’t it posted on the comment page?
JA is s-h-i-t.
I shall repeat. I’m a Christian who do not believe in astrology but in the Bible prophetic Word. The sun is the father, the moon symbolises mother and planet Venus is second in line from the sun and it denotes second born son.
According to Bible prophetic signs, when the sun is blocked, the moon will not give light and darkness will prevail. Planet Venus is above the moon which signifies that the second born son will climb above the mother and create havoc on earth.
So who is the second born son. I suggest you search the Bible for your answer and belief.
that is not venus soon the world will know there are more than one bright star up there because of me nezha the 3 prince
if anyone want to know more i ‘ve more pictures than just the bright star for u
there’s no need to argue over religion soon the trith will be known to all
karin fu the reason i am not a believer in the bible is because of your type of attitude. I wish to tell you that you ruin you church teachings. you said allah my foot. Have you ever give this some thought that god is in english whereas allah is in Arabic? That’s how Muslims refer to god in their believe. Is that the way your church taught you that your make believe god & your parents brought you up to behave this disrespectful towards other people. I hope you’ll learn from this small mistake you’d made. Kindly ask your pastor or reverend or minister of your church whether you done the right or wrong thing in your comment dated may 18th 2010 7.25am
i ve more than venus or star for u if u e mail me at martinchoo1038@yahoo.com.sg
To all muslims who are exchanging insults towards karin fu. Excuse me I believe we did learn that 2 wrong does not make 1 right. let’s forgive karin fu & I am sure she’ll learn. I have friends with different religious background. My friends do share their knowledge of their faith, just discussions with questions/answers. All of us believes our believe is true, let’s wait for doomsday as it seems to be very soon. Let’s enjoy while we can religiously and materialistically. I am a Buddhist follower as Buddhism is philosophy of life not a religion.
All religions are good and teach good values. We all must respect each other’s faith and belief. We may have different opinions on whether science crosses religion or not but our argument and criticism must be constructive and objective and not personal. This makes a good discussion.
Wow I saw it and its awesome my mother kisses me while Im having a cookie.
its not good to blame to others what you’ve missed…it must be you who must be aware of whats happening around us…and it just tells us how lazy people are nowadays…no offense ^_^
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If I had a buck for each time I came to http://www.yanswersblogsg.com.. Amazing post.