Venus, Mars and Regulus trio
Venus is the brightest level of sunshine within the evening sky. At first of July, it will likely be setting within the west lower than two hours after sundown. While you look towards the fading colours of sundown, Venus would be the first gentle you see. The closest planet to Earth shines at magnitude -4.7 within the first half of the month. On July 9, 2023, for those who look ahead to the sky to darken additional, you’ll spot two factors of sunshine fairly shut collectively and above good Venus. The marginally brighter and whiter gentle is Regulus, brightest star in Leo the Lion. And subsequent to it’s reddish Mars. These two worlds seem a bit greater than a moon-width aside on each July 9 and 10.
The view in binoculars
To get a greater have a look at this trio, attempt specializing in them with a pair of binoculars. By way of binoculars, you could possibly see the crescent phase of Venus. Subsequent, search for the white and crimson factors of sunshine shut collectively in the identical discipline of view. These are Regulus and Mars, respectively.
Mars ought to be a gradual gentle, however Regulus may twinkle. That’s as a result of Mars is nearer to Earth. A star – similar to Regulus – is kind of far-off, nothing greater than a pinprick of sunshine in our sky. So the undulating environment of Earth that we peer by way of could make the purpose of Regulus bounce round, whereas the extra disk-like Mars stays regular.
Our charts are largely set for the northern half of Earth. To see a exact view out of your location, attempt Stellarium online.
Should you get an ideal photograph of this occasion, ship it to us! Submit your photo to EarthSky Community Photos.
Backside line: You possibly can see Venus, Mars and Regulus shut collectively on July 9 and 10. Use binoculars to get a greater view of the dimmer objects, a bit of greater than a moon-width aside.
For more videos of great night sky events, visit EarthSky’s YouTube page.
For more night sky events visit EarthSky’s visible planets and night sky guide.
Read more: Venus brightest now in the evening sky for 2023
