Tonight the Moon will rendezvous with the bright star Spica in the constellation Virgo. The Moon is approaching full, just under 90% illuminated. Evening will see the two quite close, about 2° apart. As the night progresses this separation will diminish as the Moon slides just south of the star. For viewers in Hawai’i the minimum separation will be about 40′ around 2:00 in the morning with the star just 25′ from the Moon’s pole.
Tag: Spica
The Moon, Mars, Saturn and Spica
A nice conjunction of a crescent Moon, Mars, Saturn and the bright star Spica will grace the evening sky tonight. The quartet will be arranged in a rough square about 4° on side. The two planets and the star will all be about 1st magnitude, with the Moon showing about 25% illuminated.
Mars, Saturn and Spica
Mars will pass between Saturn and Spica this evening. Currently moving in retrograde, the red planet will be directly between the ringed planet and the star. All three will be close to 1st magnitude. Saturn and Spica are currently about 4.5° apart. Mars will be just under 2° from the star.
The trio will be close for a couple weeks. On the 21st a thin crescent Moon, 24% illuminated, will join to create a very nice quartet.
Mars, Saturn and Spica
Mars is fast approaching a rendezvous with both Saturn and Spica this week. Currently moving in retrograde, the red planet will pass between the ringed planet and the star. All three will be close to 1st magnitude. Saturn and Spica are currently about 4.5° apart. Mars will pass directly between the two on the 13th, just under 2° from the star.
The trio will be close for a couple weeks. On the 21st a thin crescent Moon, 24% illuminated, will join to create a very nice quartet.
The Moon, Mars, Saturn and Spica
A nice conjunction of a crescent Moon, Mars, Saturn and the bright star Spica will grace the evening sky tonight. All four will be within 12° of each other. The two planets and the star will all be about 1st magnitude, with the Moon showing about 37% illuminated.
The same quartet will get together again next month, for an even tighter grouping.
The Moon and Saturn
Saturn, the Moon and Spica will form a trio high in the sky at sunset tonight. The three will be within 7° of each other. The gibbous Moon will be 62% illuminated. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude. Look for the planet Mars 25° west of Saturn at about the same brightness.
The Moon and Saturn
Saturn, the Moon and Spica form a trio high in the eastern sky at sunset tonight. The three will be within 7° of each other. The Moon will be just short of full, over 85% illuminated. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude. Look for the planet Mars 38° west of Saturn and a bit brighter.
The Moon and Saturn
Saturn, the Moon and Spica will rise together in the east after sunset this evening. The three will be within 10° of each other. The Moon will be just short of full, over 94% illuminated as it rises. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude.
Tomorrow night will see the Moon east of Saturn, but still close, just over 10°.
The Moon and Saturn
A bright trio can be seen tonight as Saturn, the Moon and Spica rise together after sunset. The three will be within 6° of each other. The Moon will be just short of full, over 99% illuminated as it rises. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude.
The Moon and Saturn
There will be a bright triangle in the sky tonight made up of the Moon, Saturn and Spica. All three will be within 10° of each other. The Moon will dominate the trio at over 87% illumination as it waxes towards full. Saturn will be shining at 0.4 magnitude while Spica is very close to 1.0 magnitude.