An Evening Under the Stars: Don't Miss This!

Mark your calendars for an incredible evening of stargazing on Wednesday, August 27! As the sun begins to set, a spectacular cosmic show unfolds in the sky. The Moon will glide just 1.2° south of the dazzling star Spica at 11 A.M. EDT, creating a breathtaking alignment that is not to be missed.

By evening, the celestial drama intensifies as Spica positions itself between Mars and our Moon, with the lunar orb shining prominently to Spica's left. Don't forget to take a moment to gaze at this stunning alignment – even an hour after sunset, Spica remains visible, sitting about 7° high in the western sky.

Explore the Mysteries of Libra!

While your eyes are fixed on this part of the heavens, slide your gaze to the Moon’s upper left and discover the constellation Libra. Here, you’ll find its two brightest stars, Alpha (α) and Beta (β) Librae, twinkling with nearly the same brilliance. Although Beta shines a bit brighter at magnitude 2.6 compared to Alpha’s 2.8, it’s Alpha that deserves a special mention tonight.

Known as Zubenelgenubi, this fascinating double star can be seen with the naked eye, as its components are just 4' apart. The primary star radiates at magnitude 2.8, while its fainter companion, also cataloged as Alpha1 Lib, shines at a softer magnitude of 5.2 to the northwest. Even if you struggle to distinguish them with just your eyes, grabbing binoculars or a telescope will reveal a stunning duo: the brighter star glows bluish-white, while its companion radiates a warm orangey-yellow.

Key Celestial Times You Need to Know

- **Sunrise:** 6:23 A.M.

- **Sunset:** 7:39 P.M.

- **Moonrise:** 10:48 A.M.

- **Moonset:** 9:30 P.M.

- **Moon Phase:** Waxing crescent (19%)

*All times are provided in local time (40° N 90° W). The Moon's illumination is noted at noon local time from the same location. So, grab a blanket, cozy up outside, and prepare for a night filled with cosmic wonder!