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Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How to see Mars visit a bright star and the moon this June
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. This has been a most interesting year to follow Mars. If you've been monitoring the Red Planet since the start of 2025, you have no doubt noted the dramatic change in its brightness as well as the occasional interactions it has had with the moon, bright stars and other celestial objects. Mars travels a little more than half of its orbit each Earth year, and thus has oppositions (that point in the sky where it appears directly opposite to the sun in the sky) every two years plus about 50 days (its "synodic period," which is also the longest for any known planet). Prior to 2025, the last opposition of Mars was on Dec. 8, 2022; after 2025, the next will come on Feb. 19, 2027. It reached opposition this year on Jan. 16 and two nights earlier, on Jan. 14, a nearly full moon passed directly in front of Mars as seen from much of North America. Mars is the most Earth-like planet of all known beyond our own, and it passed closest to Earth during the American morning of Jan. 12, just 3.5 days before opposition. But the 2025 apparition of Mars has been one of the poorer and more distant ones in the planet's 15-to-17-year cycle of oppositions near and far. Just three months after opposition, Mars arrived at aphelion (farthest from the sun) in its eccentric orbit, so we came no closer than 59.7 million miles (96.1 million kilometers) to it last winter — some 5.3 light minutes away. Shining with a yellow-orange hue, it attained its peak brightness, gleaming at magnitude -1.3. That's just a trifle fainter than Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. Ever since Jan. 12, however, it has been receding from Earth, and consequently it has gradually been getting dimmer. So, we're leaving it behind, and ever since Feb. 24, Mars has been traveling in prograde (eastward) motion — a long, straight line around the sky, becoming steadily farther away and smaller. Still, in spite of its fade-down, it continued to put on an eye-catching show during February and March with the "twin stars" of Gemini, Pollux and Castor as the brightest member of a prominent, albeit temporary, triangle. And then, on the evening of May 4, Mars made a very close pass near the Beehive Star Cluster (M44), a very pretty sight as viewed through binoculars or a low-power, wide-field telescope. And during the latter part of June, Mars will again make for a couple of eye-catching shows, teaming up first with a bright star and then, late this month, with Earth's nearest neighbor in space. TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Want to see Alcor and the other stars of the Big Dipper? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. Mars now appears as nothing more than a featureless dot in most telescopes. But on Tuesday evening (June 17), it forms a wonderful naked-eye pairing with the thin, only slightly brighter star Regulus in the constellation of Leo the Lion. Observers in the Americas will see the planet and star 2 degrees apart or less from June 13 through June 20, and one degree or less apart June 15 through June 18. For viewers, around 40 degrees north latitude, Regulus and Mars are side by side, only 1.5 degrees apart on June 14, and Mars is 45 arc minutes (three quarters of one degree) almost straight above Regulus on June 17. That will be the evening when they are closest together. Neither one is exceptionally bright; Regulus shines at magnitude +1.34 and Mars is at magnitude +1.41. But the fact that they will appear so near to each other and are so closely matched in brightness will make them appear to stand out in the early evening sky. Look for them around 10 p.m. local daylight time, roughly one-quarter up in the western sky. In addition to their closeness to each other, look for the orange-gold of Mars and blue-white of Regulus to appear intensified by contrast to each other when they are so close together (as seen with the naked eye or binoculars). On Sunday evening, June 29, a waxing crescent moon, 24% illuminated by the sun, will pass very close to Mars and make for a rather attractive sight, low in the western sky at dusk. The moon, moving around Earth in an easterly direction at roughly its own diameter each hour, will appear to pass just below the orange-gold planet. Even though North America will miss out on seeing the moon pass directly in front of Mars (called an "occultation"), Mars will attract attention as it slowly appears to glide above the moon. The view of the moon occulting Mars will be restricted to parts of Ecuador and Peru. After closest approach, the moon will move slowly away from Mars. Locations to the east (or to the right) of a line running roughly from central Texas through central Ontario will be in various stages of twilight at the moment that the moon and planet are closest together (called a "conjunction"). To the west (or to the right) of that line, the sun will be above the horizon when the two are in conjunction, but will still appear relatively close as darkness falls. For places where the two are closest together within an hour or less after sunset, you'll probably initially need binoculars to pick Mars out against the bright twilight sky. Once the sky has sufficiently darkened, however, Mars will be relatively easy to see. For most locations, the upper limb of the moon will skim to within about 20 arc minutes (one-third of a degree) of Mars. For places across the northern U.S. and Canada, the gap between the two will be a bit larger, while across the southern U.S. and the Caribbean, the gap will be a bit smaller. The table below (calculated exclusively for by Joe Rao) provides the specific details for 15 selected cities in the U.S. and Canada. The table gives civil times (all p.m.) of Mars' closest approach to the edge of the moon's upper limb. Separation between Mars and the moon's upper edge is given in terms of minutes of arc (the apparent width of the moon on June 29 is 31 arc minutes), and the percentage of the apparent width of the moon. A value of 0.48, for example, is equal to 48% of the moon's width (or fractionally, slightly less than one-half). Examples: from Miami, closest approach between Mars and the moon is at 10:13 p.m. EDT. Separation is 15 arc minutes or 0.48, which is just under one-half of a moon's width from Mars to the upper edge of the moon. From New York, closest approach is at 9:48 p.m. EDT, the separation is listed at 23 arc minutes or 0.74, which means that 74% of the moon's width will separate Mars from the moon's upper edge. Related Stories: — How to see the 'Horse and Rider' in the Big Dipper's handle this summer — Mars: Everything you need to know about the Red Planet — June's Strawberry Moon treats skywatchers to a rare low-riding show (photos) After its rendezvous with the moon, Mars will continue to press on to the east. In the weeks and months that follow, Mars will continue to be a fixture in the evening sky, but will continue to recede from Earth and consequently will get fainter, diminishing to the rank of second magnitude. Passing north of Spica on Sept. 13 and Mercury on Oct. 19, Mars will be getting progressively lower in the sky — more southerly and nearer to the sunset. When it finally fades into the evening twilight glow of early November, it will be on the far side of the sun, some 225 million miles (362 million km) from Earth and just 1/13 as bright as it was in mid-January. It will finally end its run as an evening object when it will be at conjunction with the sun next year, on Jan. 9. Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, Sky and Telescope and other publications.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Catch Jupiter and Mercury side by side in the evening sky this week
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The nights surrounding June 7 will see Jupiter and Mercury crowd together close to the horizon in the northwestern sky. Stargazers in the U.S. will need a clear horizon to spot the planetary duo hanging less than 10 degrees (about a fist's width at arm's length) above the western horizon when the sun sets on June 6, with Jupiter positioned to the upper left of Mercury. The planets will only be visible for around 45 minutes after sunset, at which time they will follow our star below the horizon. The following evenings will see fleet-footed Mercury draw level with Jupiter, before rising above and away from the gas giant in the night sky as a result of the smaller world's tight orbit around the sun. On June 7, the planets will pass a little over two degrees from each other - close enough to fit comfortably inside the field of view of a pair of 10x50 binoculars. Ensure that the sun has set entirely below the horizon before you point any binoculars or telescopic gear in its direction. Side by side in the night sky, the two points of light appear similar in nature, belying the extreme differences of the solar system bodies they represent. Jupiter is a gas giant and the largest planet in our solar system, capable of fitting the smallest planet - rocky Mercury - within its expanse many thousands of times over. Want to find the planets of our solar system for yourself? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. Their orbits are similarly divergent. It takes Jupiter 12 Earth years to complete a single lap of our star while travelling at an average orbital distance of 484 million miles (778 million kilometers). Counterintuitively, the gas giant has the shortest day of any planet in the solar system, taking a mere 9.9 hours to spin on its axis, according to NASA. Mercury, on the other hand, is separated on average by 29 million miles (47 million kilometers) from our star and completes a circuit of the sun every 88 Earth days — much shorter than the 176 Earth days that it takes for the tortured world to complete a full day-night cycle. Night sky enthusiasts hoping to explore the planets of our solar system for themselves should check out our guides to the best binocular and telescope deals. Those new to the night sky should also read our guide detailing the top smartphone stargazing apps available in 2025. Editor's Note: If you capture a picture of Jupiter and Mercury and want to share it with readers, then please send it along with your comments, name and the location of the shoot to spacephotos@
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Knife Edge Galaxy cuts a sharp profile in new amateur portrait (photo)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Astrophotographer Ronald Brecher captured a striking image of the Knife Edge Galaxy (NGC 5907) during May under a near-full moon from his backyard observatory near the city of Guelph in Canada. The Knife Edge Galaxy is located some 50 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Draco, according to NASA. NGC 5907's spiral form is oriented edge-on to our planet, granting it a sharp, needle-like appearance that has given rise to a number of nicknames, such as the Splinter Galaxy. Brecher's image showcases the bright central core of the Splinter Galaxy shining out from behind the choking dust clouds that thread the grand cosmic structure. Hidden among the star-studded spiral arms is the record-breaking energetic pulsar NGC 5907 ULX, which emits as much energy in a single second as our sun releases in three and a half years. TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Want to see the wonders of the solar system and beyond for yourself? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is great for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. Check out our Celestron NexStar 4SE review for a more detailed breakdown of its features and capabilities. The nearby companion galaxy PGC54419 can also be picked out as a smudge of light in the upper right of the image. "The Splinter Galaxy is one of my favorites," said Brecher in an email to "I've shot it before, but not with the resolution afforded by the C14." It took Brecher a little over 21 hours to image the Knife Edge Galaxy using his Celestron 14" EDGE HD telescope in conjunction with a high-end astronomy camera between May 9-15 earlier this year. Check out Brecher's website for a breakdown of the filters and other peripherals used to capture and edit the cosmic splinter portrait. Stargazers interested in capturing the night sky for themselves should read up on our guides for the best telescope and astrophotography camera deals for 2025. Editor's Note: If you would like to share your deep sky astrophotography with readers, then please send your photo(s), name, location and comments to spacephotos@
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Don't miss Spica shine with the waxing gibbous moon tonight
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The waxing gibbous moon will shine close to the bright star Spica in the night sky tonight, ahead of its full moon phase on June 11. Skywatchers in the U.S. will find the moon above the southwestern horizon an hour after sunset on June 5, with Spica twinkling a little over seven degrees to the left of the lunar disk. Remember, you can estimate distances in the night sky by holding an outstretched hand — or fist — in front of you. The width of your clenched first from your thumb to the other side of your hand is about 10 degrees, while the thickness of your little finger accounts for around 1 degree in the night sky. The red giant star Arcturus can also be found shining high above the moon close to the zenith (the point in the sky directly above an observer) on the night of June 5, while Mars will be visible in the west as a red point of light close to the kingly star Regulus, in the constellation Leo. The moon will be seen to close in on Spica throughout the night, with the duo eventually setting in close proximity on the western horizon in the pre-dawn hours of June 6. A small number of stargazers in the southern hemisphere may even witness the moon pass directly in front of Spica, blocking its light. This rare event — known as an occultation — will be visible to a handful of southern hemisphere countries and regions including Antarctica, Tasmania and the McDonald Islands in the hours following 8.23 a.m. ET (1223 GMT) on June 6, according to TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Want to see the planets of our solar system for yourself? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. Spica is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, and can be found about 250 light-years away from Earth in the Virgo constellation. Spica is actually not one star but two, what is known as a binary system. These two stars, known together as Alpha Virginis, orbit closely around one another, making a full orbit every four days. The two stars of Alpha Virginis are only around 11 million miles (less than 18 million kilometers) away from each other and appear as a single point of light in the sky. In addition, these two stars orbit so closely together that the gravity of each star pulls on the other, making them egg-shaped. The combined light from the two stars of Spica is around 12,000 times more luminous than the light from our sun, on average. They are both also larger than the sun, with diameters estimated to be approximately 7.8 and 4 times greater than the sun's. Stargazers looking to explore the wonders of the night sky for themselves should check out our guides to the best telescope and binocular deals available in 2025. Photographers seeking to upgrade their gear ahead of June's full 'Strawberry Moon' should also read up on our guides detailing the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography. Editor's Note: If you capture an image of the night sky and want to share it with readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, name and location to spacephotos@
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Don't miss the half-lit first quarter moon rise tonight: Here's what to look for
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The half-lit disk of the first quarter moon will grace the night sky on Monday (June 2), presenting a wealth of lunar features to explore before Earth's natural satellite sets below the horizon in the early morning hours. The moon hits its first quarter phase at 11:41 p.m. EDT on June 2 (0341 GMT on June 3) for viewers in New York, who will find its semi-shadowed disk high above the southwestern horizon immediately after sunset, according to stargazing website At this time, the moon is positioned at a 90-degree angle away from the sun in the sky, having travelled a quarter of the way around our planet since its new moon phase on May 26. Viewing the moon through a pair of 10x50 binoculars will reveal a myriad of craters and broken terrain features peppering the line separating the dayside and night side of the lunar surface, known as the terminator. The magnifying power of a 6-inch telescope (or greater) will grant an even closer view of the moon's more prominent features, such as the Albategnius walled plain, located close to the terminator just below the lunar equator. Countless shadowed craters line the terminator all the way down to the moon's southern pole, while the 54-mile-wide (87 km) Aristotles Crater and smaller Eudoxus Crater form a tempting target on the border of Mare Frigoris to the north. The dark expanses of Mare Serenitatis (Latin for Sea of Serenity) and Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility) can also be seen scarring the moon's surface, easily visible to the naked eye. The 'lunar seas' formed billions of years ago when masses of molten lava flooded impact basins excavated by devastating asteroid strikes. TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Want to see the shadowed craters and lunar seas for yourself? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. Mare Tranquillitatis' southern shore was the site of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, where astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin took humanity's first steps on another world as pilot Michael Collins looked on from lunar orbit in July 1969. Mars can be found to the moon's lower right after sunset on June 2, with the bright star Regulus of the constellation Leo positioned directly between the two solar system bodies. The following week will see the waxing gibbous moon grow ever larger ahead of its full 'Strawberry Moon' phase on June 11, named for the brief U.S. strawberry-picking season with which it happens to coincide. Editor's Note: If you would like to share your astrophotography with readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@
