Trine of Venus, Mars, and Regulus: A Spectacular Night Sky Event in July 2023

Trine of Venus, Mars dan Regulus

Venus is the brightest point of light in the night sky. In early July, it will set in the west less than two hours after sundown. When you look up at the fading sunset colors, Venus will be the first light you see. The planet closest to Earth shines with a magnitude of -4.7 in the first half of the month. On July 9, 2023, if you wait until the sky gets darker, you will see two points of light that are very close together and above the bright planet Venus. The brightest and whitest light is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo Leo. Next to him is red Mars. These two worlds appear to be moon-width apart from each other on July 9 and 10.

On the evening of July 9, 2023, bright Venus will lie beneath Mars and dim Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, Leo. The triple will fit in a 5 degree plane. Also, Mars and Regulus will be 0.7 degrees — slightly wider than the width of the full moon — away that night. Mars and Regulus would be very close again the next night. Use Stellarium.org To find the star chart for your exact location. Use binoculars to help find them at night. Mars will set around 10:30 p.m. (your local time). Graph via John Jardine Goss/Earthsky.

binocular view

To get a better look at this trio, try focusing on them with binoculars. Through binoculars, you may be able to see the crescent phases of Venus. Next, find white and red points of light that are close together in the same field of view. These are Regulus and Mars, respectively.

Mars should be a steady light, but Regulus might be twinkling. That’s because Mars is closer to Earth. A star – like Regulus – is so far away, it is no more than a speck of light in our sky. So Earth’s undulating atmosphere through which we travel can make Regulus dots jump around, while disk-like Mars remains stationary.

July 9, 2023, binocular view of two planets – Venus and Mars – near Regulus. In fact, Mars passes 0.7 degrees — slightly wider than the Moon — from Regulus during the night. Mars and Regulus will still be close on July 10 as well. Start looking 30-45 minutes after sunset. Graph via John Jardine Goss/Earthsky.

Our charts are mostly set for the Northern Hemisphere. To see an accurate display of your location, try it Stellarium online.

If you come up with great event photos, send them to us! Submit your photo to the EarthSky community photo gallery.

Bottom line: You can see Venus, Mars, and Regulus close together on July 9 and 10. Use binoculars to get a better view of the fainter objects, which are separated by a slightly wider distance from the moon.

For more videos of the amazing night sky events, visit Halaman YouTube EarthSky.

For more night sky events, visit EarthSky’s Visible Planets and Night Sky Guide.

Read more: Venus is now brightest in the night sky for 2023

Kelly Keiser Witt

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About the Author:

Kelly Keizer Witt is a science writer specializing in astronomy for more than two decades. He began his career at Astronomy Magazine, and has made regular contributions to Astronomy Today and the Sierra Club, among other outlets. Her children’s picture book, Solar System Projections, was published in 2012. She also wrote the young adult novel, A Different Sky. When she’s not reading or writing about astronomy and stargazing, she enjoys traveling to national parks, doing crossword puzzles, running, tennis, and kayaking. Kelly lives in Wisconsin.

2023-07-08 19:21:15
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