Don’t Miss Tonight’s Sky Show: The Waxing Gibbous Moon Glides Past Spica in Virgo—And a Hidden Celestial Double Star Awaits!
The waxing gibbous Moon and Spica dazzle in Virgo tonight. Discover their cosmic meeting and how to spot a secret double star nearby.
- Moon phase: Waxing gibbous, 82% illuminated
- Moon-Spica separation: 6.3° southeast by evening
- Moonrise: 4:22 P.M. Moonset: 2:38 A.M.
- Best viewing time: 1 hour after sunset tonight
The night sky is staging a spectacle you won’t want to miss. As twilight fades this evening, look south to witness the radiant waxing gibbous Moon sharing the stage with Spica—the brilliant blue-white star that anchors the constellation Virgo.
Tonight, the Moon shimmers just over 6 degrees southeast of Spica. Earlier today, these cosmic neighbors had passed in close formation, only half a degree apart—an epic near-miss in celestial terms. Now, catch them hanging side-by-side, bold and unmistakable, against the deepening velvet of night.
But that’s not all—the sky offers a hidden gem just to Spica’s lower right. The constellation Corvus, often overlooked though easy to find, reveals itself as a lopsided quadrilateral. Within this modest grouping, stargazers with a small telescope can find Delta Corvi, known as Algorab. Here’s where the real magic happens: Algorab is a striking double star, easy to split, boasting a shimmering blue-white primary with a fainter orange companion. Their contrasting hues appear even to backyard astronomers, separated by a generous 24 arcseconds.
For skywatchers seeking more celestial wonders, reputable resources like NASA and Sky & Telescope offer weekly guides, maps, and expert tips.
Q: What time and where should I look?
Look due south about an hour after sunset (sunset is at 8:26 P.M. local time if you’re near 40°N, 90°W). The gibbous Moon steals the show, but glance left and down to find Spica beaming nearby.
Q: How close did the Moon get to Spica today?
Earlier, they passed within just 0.5°—so close that if it were an occultation month, the Moon would have briefly blocked Spica from view.
How to Find Corvus and Its Dazzling Double Star Tonight
1. Locate Spica, just left of the Moon.
2. Look to Spica’s lower right to spot a boxy set of stars—the faint but distinctive shape of Corvus.
3. With binoculars or a telescope, hone in on the corner star closest to Spica. That’s Delta Corvi, or Algorab.
4. At moderate magnification, watch the pair split: one luminous, one subtle and tinged orange—an easy and rewarding sight for beginners.
Q: Can I see this with the naked eye?
You’ll easily pick out the Moon and Spica without optical aid. Corvus is faint but visible as a quadrilateral. For Algorab’s double nature, a backyard telescope or good binoculars makes the difference.
For a dynamic perspective, try out real-time star maps from Stellarium or join local star parties for expert-led tours of the night sky.
What’s Coming Up Next?
The waxing Moon marches toward full, with more planetary pairings and deep-sky treasures ahead in 2025. Readers hungry for the next cosmic event should bookmark dedicated astronomy portals for up-to-minute alerts.
Ready to stargaze? Grab your binoculars or telescope, set your alarm for sunset, and tick off tonight’s celestial checklist!
- Check the weather—clear skies mean best viewing.
- Step outside one hour after sunset; face south.
- Spot the bright waxing Moon and Spica nearby.
- Scan southeast to glimpse the outline of Corvus.
- Find Delta Corvi (Algorab) and enjoy its double-star charm through a scope.
- Share your photos and sky stories on social media with #LunarMeetsSpica
Don’t let tonight’s cosmic rendezvous pass you by—nature’s theater is open, and all you need is your curiosity!
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