The Moon and Spica Put On a Celestial Performance Tonight: How to Spot the Dazzling Duo in Virgo
The waxing Moon sweeps past brilliant Spica in Virgo tonight. Here’s what to look for—and how to spot Corvus, a hidden gem.
- Moon’s phase: Waxing gibbous, 82% illuminated
- Spica distance: 6.3° northwest of the Moon after sunset
- Key time: See Spica & the Moon together, 1 hour after sunset
Tonight’s night sky promises a cosmic treat. Look south shortly after sunset: the waxing gibbous Moon glows brightly in the constellation Virgo, having just passed close to Spica—Virgo’s radiant alpha star. Both hang like lanterns in the evening sky, offering an unmissable spectacle for skywatchers.
If you step outdoors and gaze upward around an hour after sunset, the luminous duo will be unmistakable. By now, the Moon has glided about 6.3° southeast of Spica. Once each in a while, the Moon eclipses (or “occults”) Spica, but not this time—tonight, they’re simply close companions.
Spica itself is no ordinary star. At magnitude 1, it’s the brightest anchor in Virgo, one of the largest zodiac constellations. Sitting close to the ecliptic—the Sun’s apparent path—it often shares the stage with the Moon and wandering planets you spot in the sky.
Q: What Is Spica and Why Is It So Special in the Night Sky?
Spica is an enormous blue-white double star, around 250 light-years from Earth. As Virgo’s ‘alpha’ luminary, it guides both professional astronomers and backyard stargazers through spring and summer’s constellations. Its shimmering light is actually the combined glow of two stars locked in a tight orbital dance, spinning so rapidly they’re almost egg-shaped.
Virgo’s placement along the ecliptic means Spica is often aligned with celestial events. This month’s close lunar approach is a perfect example, captivating skywatchers.
Q: How Can You Spot Corvus and Its Hidden Double Star?
Don’t dash indoors after viewing the Moon and Spica! To the lower right, a neat box of four moderately bright stars marks Corvus, the Crow—a constellation often overlooked, but rewarding to view. If you own a small telescope, shift your gaze to delta Corvi, also known as Algorab, lying 14.5° southwest of Spica.
Through the eyepiece, Algorab reveals itself as an easy double: a crisp blue-white star shining next to a dimmer, orange-hued companion. Their striking color contrast and separation make them a favorite for stargazers aiming to check off classic double stars.
How To Experience This Sky Event Like a Pro
- Check your local times: At 40° N, 90° W, sunset is at 8:26 PM, and the Moon rises at 4:22 PM.
- Head outside about an hour after sunset for the best view. Bring binoculars for added detail.
- Find the Moon, then look northwest for the twinkling beacon of Spica.
- Look to the lower right of Spica for the Corvus “box” constellation—use a stargazing app if needed.
- If you have a small telescope, try splitting delta Corvi (Algorab) to spot both stars.
Need more astronomy fun? Check out resources at NASA and learn about stargazing tools at Sky & Telescope.
Q: What’s Next in the Night Sky for 2025?
Astronomy enthusiasts should stay tuned! 2025 brings several notable planet oppositions, total and partial lunar eclipses, and opportunities to see rare celestial alignments. Bookmark skywatching updates from trusted sources like Time and Date and Space.com.
Don’t miss tonight’s stellar show! Grab your binoculars, round up friends or family, and step outside for a Moon-and-Spica experience you won’t forget.
- ✔ Plan your viewing right after sunset
- ✔ Locate Spica just northwest of the Moon
- ✔ Find Corvus and split Algorab with a telescope
- ✔ Watch for future sky events—astronomy in 2025 is just getting started!
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