Latest news with #Regulus
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Mars cozies up to one of the brightest stars in the sky in 'mind-blowing' conjunction photo
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A new photo shows Mars shining like a red star in the night sky, alongside the blue-tinged "Heart of the Lion" star, Regulus. Despite their drastic differences, the two objects currently look remarkably similar. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo. The point of light is coming from a system containing four stars, arranged into two pairs of two, shining approximately 79 light-years from Earth — or around 2.8 million times farther from our planet than Mars. The system's blue tinge comes from its largest star, a blue subgiant around 4.5 times more massive than the sun. It often appears alongside, or gets eclipsed by, other solar system planets and Earth's moon, because it is situated near the ecliptic — the plane in the night sky where all solar system worlds orbit the sun. Mars and Regulus currently appear very close to one another. This conjunction peaked on June 17, when the pair was less than one degree apart, which is equal to around 1.5 times the diameter of the moon in the night sky. The Red Planet is currently shining very brightly at night because of its position relative to Earth and the sun, making it look like a red star. On June 16, the Virtual Telescope Project captured an incredible image of the two objects with nearly identical brightness, using a 14-inch telescope in Italy. The stellar objects look like perfect mirror images of each other, aside from their striking color contrast. "The beauty of their colors is mind-blowing," Gianluca Masi, an astronomer and founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, told Related: Parisian photographer produces phenomenal, perfectly-proportioned 'planetary parade' portrait If you look hard at the image, you may be able to see a fuzzy, faint spot of light between Mars and Romulus, located slightly closer to the blue star. This is the ghostly trace of the Leo I dwarf galaxy, about 820,000 light-years away: "Capturing it in the same frame as Mars and Regulus is something rare and deeply evocative," Masi said. RELATED STORIES —Mars rises over the moon's horizon at the best possible time —Eerie photo of Mars' horizon took NASA 3 months to capture —See Mars 'peek out' from behind the moon in stunning eclipse photo Mars and Romulus will remain close to one another until June 22, when this conjunction officially ends, according to the BBC's Sky at Night Magazine. The conjunction began on June 11. The two bodies are no longer as close as they were, but they can still be seen together with the naked eye. But you can get a better look at the pair using a decent telescope or a pair of stargazing binoculars. The best time to see it is just after twilight under totally clear skies, according to Live Science's sister site 2025 has already seen several noteworthy conjunctions, including a rare "planetary parade" in February, when all seven solar system worlds were near-perfectly aligned in the night sky. Mars and Mercury will also have close conjunctions with the moon later this month.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Watch the stunning Mars and Regulus conjunction today with this free livestream
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Mars and the star Regulus are set to put on a dazzling show tonight as the Red Planet passes remarkably close to Leo's brightest star in a striking celestial pairing — and you can watch it live online. The conjunction between Mars and the bright blue star Regulus began on Monday (June 16) and will bring the two objects side by side in the night sky. A conjunction occurs when two celestial bodies appear very close together from our perspective on Earth. Using its robotic telescopes in Manciano, Italy, the Virtual Telescope Project is offering a free online livestream (weather permitting) of the conjunction beginning at 3:45 p.m. EDT (1945 GMT) today (June 17). You can watch the livestream here on courtesy of the Virtual Telescope Project or directly on their WebTV page or YouTube channel. At their closest point, Mars and the bright star will be just 0.7 degrees apart — roughly the width of your little finger held at arm's length against the night sky — which is incredibly close for two celestial objects. The pair will remain in close visual proximity through Wednesday night (June 18). During conjunction, both Mars and Regulus — the 21st brightest star in the night sky — will shine at 1.4 magnitude. Although virtually equal in brightness, the two celestial objects differ dramatically in color. "They will offer a superb show, offering very different colours: Mars will bring its legendary red hue, while Regulus will shine like a blue diamond," Gianluca Masi, Virtual Telescope Project founder and astronomer, told in an email. Although Mars and Regulus will look strikingly close, it's just a trick of perspective from our viewpoint on Earth. In reality, Mars lies within our solar system about 171 million miles away, while Regulus is nearly 80 light-years from us in the constellation Leo, the Lion. Nonetheless, the pair will appear close and bright enough in the night sky to be seen by the naked eye. For a more detailed view, binoculars or a small telescope with low magnification can be used, Masi said. The best time to catch Mars and Regulus — known as the "Heart of the Lion"— will be just after twilight fades and the stars become visible under clear, dark skies. Viewers can look toward the western sky, near the constellation Leo, to spot the dazzling pair meet up.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Don't miss June's night sky! You can spot stunning stars, planets, and constellations; here's how you can see them
If you've been meaning to spend more time under the stars, June is a great month to start. As summer warms up the Northern Hemisphere, the skies open up with some of the most breathtaking views of planets, stars, and constellations of the entire year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From the glowing crescent of Venus rising before dawn to Mercury making a rare, visible appearance after sunset, the cosmic lineup is both diverse and dazzling. Add in Saturn's slow return and Mars' colorful tango with Regulus, and you've got skywatching opportunities nearly every night. Whether you're a telescope owner, a casual stargazer, or someone simply looking up after dinner, there's something worth spotting nearly every day this month. Here's your detailed guide to what's visible in June — and when and how to catch the best celestial events. Catch the Milky Way rising in June's night sky Let's start with the starry showstopper — the Milky Way. If you're in a dark-sky area away from city lights, look toward the southern sky around midnight. The dense, star-packed core of our galaxy begins to rise earlier each night. From mid to late June, it stretches across the sky like a cosmic river. No telescope needed — just your eyes and clear skies. Mercury and the Moon share the spotlight on June 26 Mercury doesn't usually stick around long enough to get noticed, but this month it's putting on a decent show. Starting around mid-June, look low on the northwest horizon about an hour after sunset. It'll be just left of the twin stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, toward the final week of the month. Best night : June 26 — a slim crescent moon joins Mercury in the twilight sky for a picture-perfect moment. : June 26 — a slim crescent moon joins Mercury in the twilight sky for a picture-perfect moment. Pro tip: Use binoculars to spot it in the fading light. Mercury shines at zero magnitude, so it'll appear as a bright 'star' hugging the horizon. June mornings belong to Venus — don't miss it If you're an early riser, Venus is your reward. Rising nearly 2.5 hours before the sun, it starts the month shining about 10 degrees above the eastern horizon at dawn, climbing to 20 degrees by the end of June. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now That's enough altitude to spot it easily even from city locations. Though it reaches greatest western elongation on June 1 — appearing 46 degrees west of the sun — it won't appear highest in the sky until August for those at mid-northern latitudes. Through a telescope, Venus transitions from a 'half phase' early in the month to a more rounded gibbous shape by June 30. Mars and Regulus form a celestial duo this month Over in the west just after sunset, Mars — still glowing a soft orange — meets up with Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Regulus has a bluish-white hue, and their close pairing creates a subtle but stunning color contrast in the sky. Closest approach: June 17 — the two are just 0.75 degrees apart (about the width of a pinky finger at arm's length). Mars will appear just above Regulus in the evening sky. June 17 — the two are just 0.75 degrees apart (about the width of a pinky finger at arm's length). Mars will appear just above Regulus in the evening sky. Bonus view: On June 29, the crescent moon, Mars, and Regulus form a beautiful triangle — definitely worth photographing. Spot Saturn's tilted rings in June's quiet hours Saturn is slowly rising higher in the early morning hours and becomes visible after 2:30 a.m. at the start of June, rising around 12:30 a.m. by the end of the month. It sits in the constellation Pisces and shines with a pale yellow-white glow, easy to distinguish from the surrounding stars. Although the rings aren't as prominent this year — tilted just 3.5 degrees toward Earth — you can still glimpse them through a telescope before dawn. Keep an eye out for Fomalhaut, the 'lonely star' in the southern sky, which closely matches Saturn's brightness and follows it upward. Don't look for Jupiter — It's hiding behind the Sun If you're wondering where Jupiter went — it's taking a break. The gas giant is in conjunction with the sun on June 24, meaning it's too close to the solar glare to be visible. It's shifting from the evening sky to a morning object, but won't be visible until sometime in early July when it begins to rise before dawn again. June's constellation crossover: From Gemini to Scorpius June is a transition month in the sky — with spring constellations like Leo and Gemini slowly giving way to summer patterns like Scorpius and Sagittarius. Leo the Lion remains prominent in the western sky after sunset. Regulus, its heart star, is your main guide. Gemini the Twins dips lower into the northwest but is still visible. Look for the parallel bright stars Castor and Pollux. Scorpius begins to rise in the southeast in the late evening. Its bright red star Antares is often mistaken for Mars. Sagittarius, with its famous "Teapot" asterism, follows shortly behind, pointing the way to the heart of the Milky Way. June's sky calendar: Mars, Mercury and Moon put on a show June 17 – Mars-Regulus closest conjunction June 21 – Look for Mercury about an hour after sunset, low in the northwest June 24 – Jupiter in solar conjunction (invisible) June 26 – Crescent Moon joins Mercury in evening twilight June 29 – Moon, Mars, and Regulus trio at dusk What you need (and don't) to explore June's celestial sights You don't need fancy equipment to enjoy June's sky — but a little prep goes a long way. Binoculars : Great for Mercury, the moon, and even picking out Jupiter's moons when it's back. : Great for Mercury, the moon, and even picking out Jupiter's moons when it's back. Telescope : Ideal for Venus phases, Saturn's rings, and Mars' tiny disk. : Ideal for Venus phases, Saturn's rings, and Mars' tiny disk. Dark skies : Escape city lights to fully enjoy the Milky Way, constellations, and meteor activity. : Escape city lights to fully enjoy the Milky Way, constellations, and meteor activity. Sky apps: Tools like Stellarium or SkySafari can help you track what's where, in real time. Bonus tip : To estimate distances in the sky, hold your fist at arm's length — it covers roughly 10 degrees of sky.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
See Planets Pop As Solstice Strikes: The Night Sky This Week
This week sees a turning point of the year — the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice — which is ... More celebrated at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in the U.K. Each Monday, I pick out North America's celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more. This week sees a turning point of the year — the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice. Its aftermath sees nights get longer, which is good news for stargazers at northern latitudes starved of astronomical darkness. However, with Venus dazzling before dawn and red Mars embracing blue Regulus, there can be no complaints about twilight's delights. Here's everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week: Monday, June 16 and Tuesday, June 17: Mars And Regulus In Conjunction Look to the west after dark to see the planet Mars and a bright icy blue-white star called Regulus shine less than a degree apart. That's so close! Nearly equal in brightness, the contrast in color will be striking. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo, 'the Lion.' It's about 78 light-years from the sun. You can look at these two locked in a celestial embrace for two nights — choose whichever has a clear sky. Thursday, June 19: Moon and Saturn Conjunction The moon is now on the wane, and tonight, our natural satellite will rise in the east in the very early hours alongside Saturn. About 45%-lit, this waning crescent moon will be best seen a few hours later in the southeast, mostly because the bright Venus will blaze into view low in the east about 90 minutes before sunrise. Bright star Fomalhaut will be on the other side of the moon–Saturn conjunction. There's nothing to see on the solstice, aside from sunrise at a stone circle in the U.K, but it's a waymarker every stargazer should know about and understand. At 9:40 p.m. EDT, the sun will appear directly above the Tropic of Cancer — the moment of solstice and the official start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere — after which the nights will gradually lengthen. Saturday, June 21: Mercury And Gemini If you have never seen Mercury, glance to the west-northwest about 45 minutes after sunset. If you have a clear view low to the horizon (perhaps from a coastal location) you may catch Mercury shining just beneath the twin stars of Gemini — Castor and Pollux. A flat horizon and binoculars will help. Sunday, June 22: Venus, A Crescent Moon And The Pleiades Here comes something truly beautiful — if you can get up early. An hour before sunrise in the east, a 13%-lit waning crescent moon will be on show between brilliant Venus and the Pleiades star cluster. The three most beautiful objects in naked-eye stargazing are all shining together! Don't miss the sight of 'Earthshine' — sunlight reflecting onto the moon's dark side from our oceans and ice caps. Trail of the International Space Station as it passes west to east over the Meadows Campground at ... More Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Saskatchewan, Canada. Whether you can see the ISS this week will depend on whether it will pass over you just after sunset — something you can discover at NASA's Spot the Station tool or the Heavens-Above website (as well as on many stargazing apps). However, it's a perfect satellite-spotting season because the sun doesn't get that far beneath the horizon at this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. Put simply, they glint stronger for longer because the sun shines on them even when it's dark down here. The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Starwatch: Mars and Regulus will make for an eye-catching pair
Look into the western sky this week to see an eye-catching conjunction between Mars and Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation of Leo, the lion. The chart shows the view from London at 2300 BST on 16 June 2025. The pair of celestial objects will be separated by less than a degree, less than twice the apparent diameter of the full moon. This means that as well as being an easy spot with the naked eye, they are close enough to fit into the same field of view when viewed through binoculars. Although they will move further apart as the week continues. The colour difference between them will be striking. Mars will be red whereas Regulus shines with a blue-white colour. Regulus is the 21st brightest star in the night sky and lies about 79 light years away from us. It contains just over four times the mass of the sun, and has a diameter just over four times larger, too, giving out about 340 times the sun's energy. From the southern hemisphere, too, the conjunction appears in the north-north-west. In addition, on 19 June, the moon will be close to Saturn in the constellation Pisces, the fishes.
