- Southern Hemisphere Sky Events

Crescent Moon joins Venus, Jupiter and Regulus this weekend

(Posted 17 July 2015) In what seems to be a wonderful never ending show, the crescent Moon will temporarily join Venus and Jupiter as evening twilight ends this weekend. This follows the planets closest approach on 1 July 2015.

Venus and Jupiter and closest approach on 1 July 2015. Image captured by Brisbane (Queensland) amateur astronomy Tony Surma-Hawes. (c) 2015 Tony Surma-Hawes. Image used with permission.
Venus and Jupiter and closest approach on 1 July 2015. Image captured by Brisbane (Queensland) amateur astronomy Tony Surma-Hawes. (c) 2015 Tony Surma-Hawes. Image used with permission.

Brisbane based amateur astronomer Tony Surma-Hawes captured the above image of Venus and Jupiter at closest approach on 1 July 2015. The image also shows cloud bands on Jupiter and its largest moon – more commonly known as the Galilean moons.

Assuming you have clear skies, look low above the Western horizon on Saturday and Sunday evening as the sky darkens. The Moon, Jupiter and Venus will be easily visible to the unaided eye. The star Regulus (the brightest star in the ancient Greek constellation Leo The Lion) will also be nearby.

Above: Venus, Jupiter,  crescent Moon and Regulus finder chart. Chart prepared for 6:30 pm AEST on Saturday 18 July 2015 for the Gold Coast, Queensland (but will be also useful for elsewhere in Eastern Australia). Chart prepared using the highly recommended Sky Safari Pro tablet app. Used with permission.
Above: Venus, Jupiter, crescent Moon and Regulus finder chart. Chart prepared for 6:30 pm AEST on Saturday 18 July 2015 for the Gold Coast, Queensland (but will be also useful for elsewhere in Eastern Australia). Chart prepared using the highly recommended Sky Safari Pro tablet app. Used with permission.

Above: Venus, Jupiter, crescent Moon and Regulus finder chart. Chart prepared for 6:30 pm AEST on Saturday 18 July 2015 for the Gold Coast, Queensland (but will be also useful for elsewhere in Eastern Australia).

Above: Venus, Jupiter, crescent Moon and Regulus finder chart. Chart prepared for 6:30 pm AEST on Sunday 19 July 2015 for the Gold Coast, Queensland (but will be also useful for elsewhere in Eastern Australia). Chart prepared using the highly recommended Sky Safari Pro tablet app. Used with permission.
Above: Venus, Jupiter, crescent Moon and Regulus finder chart. Chart prepared for 6:30 pm AEST on Sunday 19 July 2015 for the Gold Coast, Queensland (but will be also useful for elsewhere in Eastern Australia). Chart prepared using the highly recommended Sky Safari Pro tablet app. Used with permission.

Above: Venus, Jupiter, crescent Moon and Regulus finder chart. Chart prepared for 6:30 pm AEST on Sunday 19 July 2015 for the Gold Coast, Queensland (but will be also useful for elsewhere in Eastern Australia).

About Josie Floyd

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1 thought on “Crescent Moon joins Venus, Jupiter and Regulus this weekend

  1. My first visit to your site. Great stuff. Keep it coming.
    Venus and Jupiter looked brilliant in the Western sky from Honiara, Solomon Islands on Wednesday 15/07 early evening.

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