Overview
- The closest pass between Venus and the star Regulus occurred on July 9 when the planet came within about one degree of the star, and the multi-night window of close proximity runs from July 7 through July 12 making the pairing still viewable on July 10.
- Look low toward the western horizon in mid-twilight for the best view, roughly 9:45 p.m. local daylight time at mid-northern latitudes, and choose an unobstructed site for the planet and star to clear the horizon.
- Venus outshines Regulus by a large margin — roughly 158 times brighter — so the planet will be the obvious silvery point in twilight while binoculars help bring the fainter star into view.
- On July 17 a young waxing crescent moon about 3.5 days past new (around 17% illuminated) will sit roughly six degrees left of Venus at mid-twilight, with earthshine on the lunar dark side visible through binoculars.
- These July displays record part of Venus’s seasonal path after superior conjunction on Jan. 6 and foreshadow its greatest elongation near Aug. 15 (about 46°), its inferior conjunction on Oct. 24, and a return as a morning object in November as the planet’s apparent elevation at sunset falls for mid-northern observers.