Look Up Tonight: The Waxing Gibbous Moon Dances Near Spica in Virgo—Don’t Miss This 2025 Celestial Display!
Tonight’s night sky puts on a show: The bright waxing Moon passes close to Spica and Corvus—grab your binoculars!
- Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous, 82% illuminated
- Closest Approach: Moon within 0.5° of Spica at 11 A.M. EDT
- Best Viewing: 1 hour after sunset (about 8:30 P.M. local time)
- Bonus Target: Double star Algorab shines just southwest in Corvus
Craving a cosmic spectacle? Tonight’s sky will not disappoint. The waxing gibbous Moon glows in the constellation Virgo, fresh from skimming just 0.5 degrees south of Spica, Virgo’s dazzling alpha star. By nightfall, this brilliant lunar companion nestles about 6.3 degrees southeast of Spica—forming a can’t-miss pairing that dominates the southern sky.
Skywatchers love Spica’s vibrant, icy-blue hue. It’s one of the brightest stars riding the ecliptic—the same celestial highway the Moon follows. While the Moon sometimes sails directly in front of Spica, this unique event won’t happen tonight. Still, the near-miss beams with intrigue and rare beauty.
Q: What Makes Tonight’s Moon-Spica Alignment Special?
The Moon’s close brush with Spica happens as both hang high in the evening sky, visible from dusk until late night. This pairing shines against a dark backdrop, offering jaw-dropping contrast for naked-eye observers and photographers alike.
The celestial dance is brief. By midnight, the Moon continues its journey, but for a few hours, their proximity turns everyday skywatching into an event worthy of your attention.
Q: How Can You Spot Spica and the Waxing Moon?
Step outside an hour after sunset. Look to the south: The brightest object in the sky is the Moon. Just above and to the right—about the width of three fingers held at arm’s length—glimmers Spica. The sight is enchanting, with the Moon’s silvery light illuminating Virgo’s hallmark star.
Bring out binoculars or a telescope for an incredible bonus: To the lower right of Spica, search for the unruly shape of Corvus the Crow, a distinctive four-star quadrilateral.
How to Discover Corvus and Its Secret Double Star Tonight
Corvus rarely makes headlines, but tonight’s configuration puts it in the spotlight. Aim your small scope or binoculars at Delta Corvi—better known as Algorab—about 14.5° southwest of Spica.
Peer closely and you’ll marvel at the double star system: a shimmering blue-white primary paired with a faint, orange companion. Their colors pop against the night, easily separated even with modest backyard gear.
For up-to-date star charts and sky guides, visit trusted sources like Sky & Telescope and NASA for more celestial events.
Q: What Are the Prime Times for Viewing?
- Sunset: 8:26 P.M. (local time, 40°N 90°W)
- Moonrise: 4:22 P.M.
- Moonset: 2:38 A.M.
Be ready as darkness settles—the Moon and Spica shine brightest before midnight.
How to Capture the Moment: Astrophotography Tips for Tonight
Want to immortalize this lunar-stellar encounter? Use a tripod-mounted camera or telescope. Start with a short exposure to prevent the Moon from washing out Spica’s light. Experiment with different settings to highlight the contrast between the glowing Moon and the crisp starlight.
For gear recommendations and imaging tips, check out Space.com.
Tonight’s sky won’t repeat this exact show again soon—don’t let it slip away!
- ✔ Step outside 1 hour after sunset, face south
- ✔ Spot the bright Moon, then look above for blue Spica
- ✔ Use binoculars/telescope for Corvus and double star Algorab
- ✔ Snap a photo and share your celestial find
- ✔ Mark your calendar for more cosmic events—stay curious!
Grab your gear, look up, and catch this sparkling lunar and stellar rendezvous before it fades! Stay tuned for more sky events all summer long.