Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Bright Moon Near the Scorpion's Heart (evening)

On Wednesday evening, July 17 in the Americas, the bright, waxing gibbous moon will shine a few finger widths to the left (or celestial east) of Scorpius' brightest star. The red giant star Antares represents the heart of the scorpion. Its name means "Rival of Mars", the red planet it resembles and occasionally shines close to. Hours earlier, observers with sharp eyes and binoculars or telescopes across the southern continental Africa and Madagascar can watch the moon cross in front of (or occult) Antares. Surrounding regions will only see the moon graze the star. Use an app like starry Night to look up the circumstances for your location.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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* Origin: CJ's Place, Orange City FL > cjsplace.thruhere.net (21:2/156)