Venus, Mars, and Regulus Form a Spectacular Celestial Trio in July 2023

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. Observers are advised to start looking about 30-45 minutes after sunset.

For those interested in capturing this event, EarthSky encourages them to submit their photos to the EarthSky Community Photos.

In conclusion, the Venus, Mars, and Regulus trio will provide a captivating display in the night sky on July 9 and 10. Binoculars will enhance the view of these celestial objects, which will be a little more than a moon-width apart. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness this stunning alignment of planets and stars.

For more information on night sky events, visit EarthSky’s YouTube page and their visible planets and night sky guide.

Source: EarthSky

How can stargazers best view the Venus, Mars, and Regulus alignment in 2023

To it is Mars.

Mars, often referred to as the “Red Planet” due to its distinct reddish hue, will be at its brightest and closest approach to Earth during this time. It will shine at magnitude -1.8, making it easily visible even in urban areas with some light pollution.

The alignment of these three celestial objects will create a breathtaking visual display in the night sky. Venus, Mars, and Regulus will appear in a diagonal line, with Venus shining brightly in the west, followed by Regulus, and then Mars. This trio will be visible from dusk until around 11 pm local time.

To locate this extraordinary sight, one must look towards the west-southwest horizon after sunset. Venus will be the first to catch the eye, standing out as a brilliant beacon against the fading hues of twilight. As the sky darkens, the neighboring lights of Regulus and Mars will become more pronounced, completing this celestial trio.

Such astronomical events provide an excellent opportunity for stargazers, amateur astronomers, and sky enthusiasts to marvel at the wonders of the universe. Whether observing with the naked eye or through a telescope, the sight of Venus, Mars, and Regulus united in the night sky is a sight to behold.

This rare event is a reminder of the vastness and beauty of our universe. It serves to inspire wonder and curiosity about what lies beyond our own planet. So mark your calendars for July 9 and 10, 2023, and prepare to witness a stunning celestial show as Venus, Mars, and Regulus come together to illuminate the night sky.