Look to the western horizon to catch a fleeting glimpse of the skinny crescent moon alongside the purple glow of Mars on Aug. 26, set among the many stars of the constellation Virgo.
Mars will sit lower than 10 levels above the horizon at sundown, with the 11 %-lit waxing crescent moon hanging lower than 6 levels to its decrease left. Remember, the width of your clenched fist held at arm’s size accounts for 10 levels within the evening sky, whereas the span of your index, center and ring fingers is roughly 5 levels.
Be positive to stake out a spot with a transparent view of the western horizon to offer your self one of the best likelihood of recognizing the moon and Mars together before they slip below the skyline a little over an hour after sunset on Aug. 26.
Through a pair of 10×50 binoculars, you’ll also be able to spot the ancient lava plain of Mare Crisium (Latin for the Sea of Crises), which is visible as a dark oval slightly above the lunar equator, with the eastern edge of Mare Fecunditatis (the Sea of Fertility) below.
To complete the scene, Spica — the brightest star in the constellation Virgo — will glisten to the upper left of the moon, while the dimmer star Porrima will shine roughly 3 degrees to the upper right of Mars.
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By the next evening, the crescent moon can have swept away from Mars, previous Spica on a path that can see it rendezvous with the purple supergiant star Antares within the constellation Scorpius on the evening earlier than the primary quarter moon section on Aug. 31.
Stargazers hoping to get a better view of the lunar floor ought to learn our roundup of the finest telescope offers obtainable in 2025, whereas photographers ought to take a look at our information on how you can seize the moon’s floor.utilizing a DSLR digicam.
Editor’s Note: If you’d seize a picture of the crescent moon with Mars and wish to share it with Space.com’s readers, then please ship your photograph(s), feedback, identify and site to spacephotos@area.com.