Venus, Mars, and Regulus will form a stunning trio in the night sky in early July. Venus, the brightest point of light in the night sky, will be setting in the west less than two hours after sunset. As you look towards the fading colors of sunset, Venus will be the first light you see. The planet shines at magnitude -4.7 in the first half of the month, making it impossible to miss.
On July 9, 2023, if you wait for the sky to darken further, you’ll be able to 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. Next to it is reddish 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 look at this celestial event, try focusing on the trio with a pair of binoculars. Through binoculars, you may even be able to see the crescent phase of Venus. Look for the white and red points of light close together in the same field of view, which are Regulus and Mars, respectively.
Mars should appear as a steady light, while Regulus might twinkle. This is because Mars is closer to Earth, while Regulus is quite far away, appearing as nothing more than a pinprick of light in our sky. The undulating atmosphere of Earth can make the point of Regulus jump around, while Mars remains steady.
On July 9, Mars will pass 0.7 degrees, a little more than a moon-width, from Regulus during the night. The two will still be close on July 10 as well. Start looking about 30-45 minutes after sunset to catch this celestial spectacle.
If you manage to capture a great photo of this event, don’t hesitate to submit it to EarthSky Community Photos. The bottom line is that you can witness Venus, Mars, and Regulus close together on July 9 and 10. Using binoculars will provide a better view of the dimmer objects, which are a little more than a moon-width apart.
For more videos of great night sky events, visit EarthSky’s YouTube page. And for more night sky events, check out EarthSky’s visible planets and night sky guide.
Kelly Kizer Whitt, a science writer specializing in astronomy, has provided valuable insights into this celestial event. With over two decades of experience, she has contributed to various outlets and has a passion for sharing her knowledge of the night sky. When she’s not immersed in astronomy, she enjoys traveling to national parks, creating crossword puzzles, and engaging in outdoor activities.
What makes the convergence of Venus, Mars, and Regulus a breathtaking visual for sky-watchers
Close as 0.5 degrees to each other. This celestial event is a captivating sight for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts.
Venus, known for its dazzling brightness, will be easily visible in the western sky shortly after sunset. In the first half of July, it shines at a magnitude of -4.7, making it impossible to overlook. As the colors of sunset fade, Venus will be the first light to catch your attention.
However, the real spectacle occurs on July 9, 2023, when the sky darkens further. If you cast your gaze above Venus, you will notice two points of light in close proximity. The brighter and whiter light is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion constellation. Next to Regulus is the reddish planet, Mars. On both July 9 and 10, these two celestial bodies will appear slightly more than a moon-width apart.
On the evening of July 9, Venus will be positioned below the comparatively fainter Mars and Regulus. The trio will occupy a compact 5-degree field, with Mars and Regulus coming within 0.5 degrees of each other. This convergence of Venus, Mars, and Regulus is a breathtaking visual for sky-watchers, providing a unique and awe-inspiring experience.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this stunning celestial alignment in early July. Get ready to marvel at the glorious trio formed by Venus, Mars, and Regulus as they grace the night sky with their radiant presence.
What a captivating celestial spectacle! I can’t wait to grab my telescope and witness the mesmerizing alignment of Venus, Mars, and Regulus. A cosmic treat not to be missed!