All of Earth’s neighboring rocky worlds – the moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars – are gathering collectively after sundown on July 18, 19 and 20, 2023. Coincidentally, the planets are lined up so as from the sun. Mercury is closest to the horizon and the sun, adopted by Venus after which Mars. And the moon will go to every in flip over the course of three evenings.
The moon visits 3 rocky planets
Nevertheless, if you begin searching for these planets after sundown, you received’t first spot them in that order. The primary you’ll see is the cloud-covered, closest planet to us – Venus – which far outshines the others. The subsequent brightest is Mercury, nevertheless, as will probably be closest to the sundown, it’ll be a little bit of a problem to see. However watch over the approaching weeks as Mercury finally climbs increased than Venus. Lastly, the dimmest of the three planets is at the moment Mars, which we’re racing away from in our orbit across the sun.
On July 18, a whisper-thin crescent moon will probably be low to the horizon and closest to Mercury. (In the event you dwell in a spot on the globe that’s west of the International Date Line, the planet/moon pairings are one day later. For instance, Mercury and the moon are closest on July 19. For a extra exact star chart out of your location, attempt Stellarium.org.)
On July 19, the marginally rising crescent moon will probably be close by – and nearly parallel – to good Venus. Mercury is the purpose of sunshine nearer to the horizon. The brightest star in Leo the Lion, Regulus, is by Venus, with Mars on the opposite facet of Regulus.
Lastly, on July 20, the crescent moon will probably be closest to Mars. As a result of the moon is turning into a fatter crescent, it can simply outshine Mars. As darkness falls and your eyes alter, you’ll have a greater likelihood of selecting out the pink planet. You may also use binoculars to trace it down.
Star chart for July 18, 19 and 20, 2023
Backside line: On July 18, 19 and 20, 2023, the moon visits 3 rocky planets within the west. Mercury, Venus and Mars will all pair up with the moon on back-to-back nights for a spectacular view within the west.
For more great observing events, visit EarthSky’s night sky guide
