Moon, Venus and Regulus Align in Rare Predawn Spectacle

A thin crescent moon, the planet Venus and the bright star Regulus gathered low in the eastern sky before dawn on September 19, offering skywatchers a striking celestial trio visible across much of the world. Early risers in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America even witnessed the Moon briefly occult Venus.

This morning’s close encounter underscores the dynamic dance of celestial bodies and provides a vivid reminder of the easiness of naked-eye astronomy. Just three days before New Moon, Earthshine illuminated the lunar disc as Venus shone at magnitude -3.9 and Regulus at magnitude 1.4, all within a fingertip’s width held at arm’s length.

Why It Matters

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this alignment helps observers refine their understanding of orbital mechanics and timing. Occultations of Venus by the Moon are rare-viewers won’t see another widely visible lunar occultation of Venus until June 18, 2026-and conjunctions like today’s help amateur astronomers calibrate timing for upcoming planetary events.

Key Details

Timing: Best viewed 1-2 hours before local sunrise on September 19.
Location: Look to the east for a crescent Moon about 5% lit, with Venus just below and Regulus slightly farther down, all in the constellation Leo.
Visibility Zone:
- Global: Crescent Moon, Venus and Regulus in tight grouping.
- Occultation: Observers in parts of Africa, Europe, Asia and North America saw Venus briefly disappear behind the Moon’s bright limb before reappearing from the dark side.
Viewing Tips:
- Find an unobstructed eastern horizon.
- Binoculars reveal the trio within a single field.
- Photograph with wide-angle lenses under low light settings.

What’s Next in the Sky

September 21: Saturn reaches opposition, appearing brightest and largest in the night sky.
September 21: Partial solar eclipse visible from New Zealand, Australia and Antarctica.
September 22: Autumnal equinox ushers in longer nights for Northern Hemisphere stargazers.