On the evening of July 26, the delicate crescent moon will appear near the bright star Regulus — often referred to as the “King Star” — in the Leo constellation. This creates a visually striking moment for skywatchers with a clear view of the western horizon.
Right around sunset, turn your eyes westward. You’ll spot the slender crescent moon sitting just under 10 degrees above the horizon. Just a little to the lower right of the moon—about 1 degree away—you’ll find Regulus shining with a blue-white glow. As the sun dips lower, Regulus will become even more noticeable.
If you’re not sure about the distances: extend your arm in front of your face. The tip of your pinky finger spans about 1 degree in the sky, and your clenched fist covers roughly 10 degrees.
With only 7% of its surface lit, the moon could be tricky to catch, especially in the fading light. It will set about an hour after the sun, along with Regulus. But if you do catch a glimpse, you might see a faint glow on the moon’s dark side — that’s “Earthshine” or the “Da Vinci Glow,” caused by sunlight bouncing off Earth and faintly lighting up the moon’s night side. This glow often reveals ancient, dark lava plains on the lunar surface.
By the following evening, July 27, the moon will have moved farther from Regulus along the ecliptic — the same path followed by the sun, moon, and planets — and will start nearing Mars.
If you’re into stargazing or astrophotography, this is a great time to pull out your telescope or camera. You don’t need fancy gear—just a clear western horizon and a little patience.
