Skywatchers in Southern California will be treated to a striking celestial alignment later this month. On July 29, the crescent moon and Mars will appear side by side in the evening sky. The conjunction will occur in the constellation Taurus, with the moon passing near the Red Planet in what astronomers call a close approach.
According to National Geographic, the two heavenly bodies will be visible low in the western sky shortly after sunset, glowing near each other against the fading twilight. The waxing crescent moon will shine softly alongside Mars, which will be distinguishable, given its reddish hue.
Highlights
- The conjunction of Mars and the Moon will peak on July 28, just after sunset.
- Expect a close alignment of the moon and Mars, with the Red Planet appearing just beneath or to the side of the moon, depending on location.
- Experts recommend using binoculars for a clearer view of the event in cities plagued by urban light pollution.
The Phenomenon Will be Visible Across Southern California’s Western Sky
As reported by Daily Galaxy, visibility could vary depending on weather and light pollution. Because the alignment will occur low on the horizon, city dwellers may find it harder to view unless they have a clear, unobstructed view to the west. Coastal regions like Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego may offer ideal vantage points if skies remain clear.
For the best experience, experts recommend heading out about 45 minutes after sunset, around 8:15 p.m.. While the moon will be bright enough to spot with the naked eye, Mars may be fainter and easier to see once the sky darkens further. However, in cities like Los Angeles, urban light pollution can contribute to less clear views. In such cases, binoculars or small telescopes can provide a sharper view.
According to National Geographic’s Night Sky Guide, this rare pairing is part of a series of notable skywatching events in July, including meteor showers and planetary groupings.
Some clarifications for those planning to look for this conjunction:
It would help to specify what time an event like this will occur. This event will happen on the evening of July 28 for the PDT time zone. The article mentions July 29, also, but that is UTC, 7 hours ahead of us.
The Moon and Mars will both be in the constellation Virgo, not Taurus, which is in the early morning sky right now.
The Moon and Mars will be about 4.5 degrees apart, with Mars to the right (North) of the Moon. 5 degrees is a typical binocular field of view.
Sunset will be at around 8:04 PM PDT, not the 7:30 PM implied in this article.