Tonight – July 22, 2015 – as the setting sun closes the curtains on the day, and the darkening skies bring out a myriad of far-off suns, let the moon introduce you to a very special star. The nearby bright star to tonight’s moon is none other than Spica, brightest light in the constellation Virgo the Maiden.
If you’re very observant, you might note that the moon moving slightly closer to Spica throughout the evening hours on this date. The moon continually moves eastward in front of the backdrop stars of the Zodiac at the rate of about one-half degree per hour. For a convenient measuring stick, the moon’s diameter approximates one-half degree of sky.
It’ll be much easier to detect the moon’s change of position relative to Spica on the night of July 23, 015.
In a few to several more days, in fact, the moon will no longer be all that close to Spica on the sky’s dome. When that happens, you might find it helpful to “star-hop” to Spica instead, as shown on the sky chart below.
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If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, and you’re familiar with the Big Dipper, you can count on this famous pattern of stars to guide you to Spica. Simply extend the Big Dipper handle to arc to the brilliant yellow-orange star Arcturus and to spike Spica, a blue-white gem of a star. (If you have difficulty discerning stellar color with the eye alone, try your luck with binoculars.)
Bottom line: Let the moon introduce you to Spica on July 22 and 23, 2015, and then use the Big Dipper to locate Virgo’s brightest star, after the moon’s flirtation with Spica ends.
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EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
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Tonight – July 22, 2015 – as the setting sun closes the curtains on the day, and the darkening skies bring out a myriad of far-off suns, let the moon introduce you to a very special star. The nearby bright star to tonight’s moon is none other than Spica, brightest light in the constellation Virgo the Maiden.
If you’re very observant, you might note that the moon moving slightly closer to Spica throughout the evening hours on this date. The moon continually moves eastward in front of the backdrop stars of the Zodiac at the rate of about one-half degree per hour. For a convenient measuring stick, the moon’s diameter approximates one-half degree of sky.
It’ll be much easier to detect the moon’s change of position relative to Spica on the night of July 23, 015.
In a few to several more days, in fact, the moon will no longer be all that close to Spica on the sky’s dome. When that happens, you might find it helpful to “star-hop” to Spica instead, as shown on the sky chart below.
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, and you’re familiar with the Big Dipper, you can count on this famous pattern of stars to guide you to Spica. Simply extend the Big Dipper handle to arc to the brilliant yellow-orange star Arcturus and to spike Spica, a blue-white gem of a star. (If you have difficulty discerning stellar color with the eye alone, try your luck with binoculars.)
Bottom line: Let the moon introduce you to Spica on July 22 and 23, 2015, and then use the Big Dipper to locate Virgo’s brightest star, after the moon’s flirtation with Spica ends.
Donate: Your support means the world to us
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1Vo3Srp
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