Mercury and Regulus form a close pair on July 28

 



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July 28 night: Mercury and Regulus pair up

Shortly after sundown on July 28, 2023, Mercury and Regulus are very shut – and really low – within the west. At their closest, they’ll solely be 0.1 degrees aside; that’s 1/5 the diameter of a full moon. Wow! As soon as the sun slips over the horizon, the clock is ticking to search out this duo earlier than they set.

Mercury will probably be shining at 0 magnitude whereas Regulus could have a magnitude of +1.3. Relying in your eye sight and sky situations, they could simply pop into view for you. Binoculars might assist spot them within the vibrant night twilight.

Moreover, on July 27, you may see Mercury approaching Regulus after which on July 29, you’ll discover Mercury has climbed previous Leo’s brightest star.

On the night of July 28, 2023, proper after sundown, search for vibrant Mercury pairing up with Regulus within the night twilight. The intense planet Venus is close by and would possibly provide help to discover them. Nonetheless, from the Northern Hemisphere, Venus will set about half-hour earlier than Mercury and Regulus set. Mercury and Regulus will probably be simpler to identify from the Southern Hemisphere as a result of their distance above the horizon. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.

To see a exact view out of your location, try Stellarium Online.

The binocular view

Dark circle with 2 white dots for Regulus and Mercury. — Right here’s a view of Mercury and Regulus in binoculars. Since they’ll be low on the horizon and in early night twilight, it’s possible you’ll want binoculars to search out the shut pair. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.

Mercury and Regulus

Mercury is among the brightest planets. Nonetheless, it will probably stay elusive because it’s by no means removed from the sun and is usually difficult to identify low on the horizon.

And Regulus is fainter, however nonetheless one of many brightest stars. It’s the brightest star in Leo the Lion.

Mercury is heading to best elongation

After which, for the subsequent few weeks, control the western sky after sundown, as Mercury will attain greatest elongation – or be farthest from the sun – on August 10, 2023. After which later in August, Mercury will probably be gone, too near the sundown to see (actually, passing between the sun and Earth). Mercury will emerge once more within the morning sky round mid-September.

In the meantime, Regulus – whose identify means Little King – will probably be descending extra every day within the western night sky. Regulus and Leo will give solution to a brand new batch of acquainted seasonal constellations gracing the July and August night skies.

Backside line: Mercury and Regulus will probably be very shut to one another on July 28. In truth, they’ll be 1/5 the diameter of the moon from one another. Wow! So don’t miss this pretty pair.

For more great observing events in the coming weeks, visit EarthSky’s night sky guide

For extra movies of nice evening sky occasions, go to EarthSky’s YouTube page.

Marcy Curran

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In regards to the Writer:

Marcy Curran has loved star gazing since she was a younger woman happening household tenting journeys below the darkish skies of Wyoming. She purchased her first telescope in time to see Halley’s Comet in 1985. Her ardour for astronomy ultimately led her to being a co-founder of a neighborhood astronomical society. Marcy stays lively in her astronomy membership, together with serving because the editor of a month-to-month publication. She additionally contributes a month-to-month article to her native newspaper specializing in the celebrities, planets and objects at the moment seen within the evening sky. Marcy taught astronomy at her local people faculty for over 20 years.

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Mercury and Regulus form a close pair on July 28