Mark Your Calendars!

Mark your calendars for the evening of April 12, 2025, as the full moon aligns beautifully with the stunning blue giant star, Spica. This celestial duo will create a captivating sight in the evening sky that skywatchers won't want to miss. Although the moon officially reaches its full phase in the early hours of April 13, it will appear nearly complete, with over 99% of its surface radiantly illuminated, delighting stargazers across the globe.

Best Viewing Location

For those observing from London, this breathtaking vision will be best viewed at 10:00 PM BST, looking toward the south-east. Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, stands out as a beacon, ranking as the 16th brightest star in the entire night sky. Its impressive mass is more than 11 times that of our sun, and its colossal radius is nearly 7.5 times larger. With such enormity, Spica emits an astonishing 20,500 times more light than our solar star!

A Time Traveler's Light

An intriguing aspect of this event is the difference in light's travel time. While the moonlight takes only about 1.3 seconds to reach Earth, the light from Spica has been journeying across the cosmos for nearly 250 years! When you gaze at the moon, its glowing silvery sheen will contrast beautifully with Spica's blue-tinted brilliance.

A Southern Hemisphere Delight

For our friends in the southern hemisphere, this celestial pairing will grace the north-eastern sky, ensuring that everyone worldwide can share in this astronomical wonder. Don't forget your telescopes or cameras to capture this mesmerizing encounter! Ready to be dazzled? The universe has once again crafted an awe-inspiring masterpiece.