Waxing gibbous moon near Regulus and Saturn
Comment Print Me Email to FriendTonight's Sky for Monday, Apr 14 2008
Yesterday, the waxing gibbous moon was in the vicinity of the Beehive star cluster, the crown jewel of the constellation Cancer the Crab. Tonight, a fuller waxing gibbous moon moves into the vicinity of the silvery-blue star Regulus and the golden planet Saturn. If you can’t distinguish this color contrast with the unaided eye, try binoculars.
Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion, represents the Lion’s fiery heart. Because Leo is a constellation of the Zodiac, the sun, moon and planets routinely pass in front of Leo’s stars. In fact, the moon has cycles during which it occults – passes directly in front of – Regulus every month for many months in succession. To witness this month’s occultation of Regulus, however, you’d have to be in Madagascar or Antarctica.
Regulus stands almost exactly on the ecliptic – the sun’s apparent path in front of the backdrop stars. Annually, on or near August 23, the sun has a conjunction with Regulus. If you could see the stars in the daytime, you’d see the sun rising and setting with Regulus on August 23.
If you have a birthday on on near August 23, I guess that makes you a lionhearted person!
