Venus, Mars, and Regulus Trio to Illuminate Night Sky
In a rare celestial event, Venus, Mars, and Regulus will form a stunning trio in the night sky on July 9 and 10, 2023. Venus, the brightest point of light in the night sky, will be setting in the west less than two hours after sunset. As the colors of sunset fade, Venus will be the first light to appear.
During the first half of July, Venus will shine at magnitude -4.7, making it the closest planet to Earth. But on July 9, sky gazers will be treated to an even more spectacular sight. If they wait for the sky to darken further, they will spot two points of light quite close together and above Venus. The slightly brighter and whiter light is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion, while the reddish light next to it is Mars. These two worlds will appear a bit more than a moon-width apart on both July 9 and 10.
On the evening of July 9, bright Venus will lie below the much fainter Mars and Regulus. The trio will fit within a 5-degree field, and Mars and Regulus will get as close as 0.7 degrees apart, a little more than the width of a full moon. This close proximity will still be visible on July 10 as well.
To get a better view of this celestial event, astronomers recommend using binoculars. Through binoculars, observers may be able to see the crescent phase of Venus. They can then focus on the white and red points of light close together in the same field of view, which are Regulus and Mars, respectively.
While Mars should appear as a steady light, Regulus might twinkle due to its distance from Earth. Stars, such as Regulus, are quite far away and appear as pinpricks of light in the sky. The undulating atmosphere of Earth can cause the point of Regulus to jump around, while the more disk-like Mars remains steady.
The view of Venus, Mars, and Regulus through binoculars on July 9, 2023, will be a sight to behold. Mars will pass 0.7 degrees, a little more than a moon-width, from Regulus during the night. Sky gazers are advised to start looking about 30-45 minutes after sunset. Stellarium.org can be used to find a star chart for precise locations.
If anyone captures a great photo of this event, they are encouraged to submit it to EarthSky Community Photos. The trio of Venus, Mars, and Regulus will provide a captivating sight for sky enthusiasts, and using binoculars will enhance the viewing experience of these dimmer objects.
For more videos of great night sky events, visit EarthSky’s YouTube page. Additionally, EarthSky’s visible planets and night sky guide provides information on other upcoming night sky events.
Kelly Kizer Whitt, a science writer specializing in astronomy, has been studying the night sky for over two decades. She has contributed to various publications, including Astronomy Magazine, AstronomyToday, and the Sierra Club. Whitt’s passion for astronomy extends beyond writing, as she enjoys traveling to national parks, creating crossword puzzles, and engaging in outdoor activities. She currently resides in Wisconsin.
How rare is the alignment of Venus, Mars, and Regulus, and why should sky enthusiasts mark their calendars for the evenings of July 9 and 10, 2023, to witness this celestial event
10, making it a two-night event for sky enthusiasts to enjoy.
The alignment of Venus, Mars, and Regulus in the night sky is a rare occurrence that provides a unique opportunity for stargazers to witness the beauty of our celestial neighbors. Venus, known as the evening star, will be the first to make its appearance after sunset, outshining all other celestial objects with its brilliance.
During the first half of July, Venus will shine brightly at magnitude -4.7, indicating its proximity to Earth. However, on July 9, this celestial spectacle will become even more captivating. As the sky darkens, two additional points of light will become visible above Venus. The slightly brighter and whiter light belongs to Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. Right beside it, with a reddish hue, is Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun.
On both July 9 and 10, Mars and Regulus will be positioned a little over a moon-width apart, creating a visually stunning display. Observers on July 9 will witness Venus lying below the relatively faint Mars and Regulus. The trio will be confined within a 5-degree field, with Mars and Regulus coming as close as 0.7 degrees to each other, slightly wider than the width of a full moon.
This extraordinary alignment of Venus, Mars, and Regulus presents an excellent opportunity for those interested in astronomy or simply the beauty of the night sky. The rarity of this event, combined with the proximity of Venus to Earth, ensures a breathtaking view that should not be missed. So mark your calendars for the evenings of July 9 and 10, 2023, and prepare to be captivated by this celestial trio illuminating the night sky.
I can’t wait to witness the celestial dance of Venus, Mars, and Regulus in the night sky. Such rare alignments remind us of the vast beauty and wonder of our universe. Don’t miss this stunning display!