Catch the Celestial Show at Dawn!

This Tuesday morning, September 2, marks a rare astronomical event as Mercury aligns closely with the bright star Regulus! The duo will be visible in the eastern sky just before sunrise, making it a must-see for avid stargazers.

Timing is Everything!

Make sure you're ready at 6 A.M. EDT when Mercury passes just 1.2° north of Regulus. The spectacle will start at around 5:30 A.M. local daylight time, with Mercury reaching about 4° in altitude—perfect for a breathtaking view just as the dawn begins to light up the horizon.

Spotting Tips!

With Mercury shining at a striking magnitude of -1.3, it should be easier to distinguish against the brightening sky. However, binoculars can enhance your experience, especially as Mercury appears to the lower left of illustrious Venus, which will be soaring about 20° high at the same time. Regulus, a bit more challenging at magnitude 1.4, may require a telescope or binoculars to fully appreciate, as it lies just over a degree to the lower right of Mercury.

A Closer Look at Mercury!

If you’ve got a telescope ready, take a moment to focus on Mercury—it appears as a tiny disk just 5” wide, almost 2.5 times smaller than Venus's shimmering surface, and shines brightly at 90% illumination compared to Venus's 85%. Plus, Venus will be positioned just 2° directly below the beehive star cluster M44 this morning—another fantastic viewing opportunity!

Don’t Miss the Time! 🌅

Remember to secure your binoculars or telescope a few minutes before sunrise, as the magic moment approaches. Here's the essential timing for today, adjusted to your local time from coordinates at 40° N 90° W:

- **Sunrise:** 6:29 A.M. - **Sunset:** 7:30 P.M. - **Moonrise:** 4:44 P.M. - **Moonset:** 12:33 A.M. - **Moon Phase:** Waxing gibbous (73%)