Moon and Companions

There’s a spectacular lineup in the wee hours of the morning the next couple of days: the Moon, the planets Mars and Jupiter, and the star Regulus. The entire lineup climbs into good view by 1:30 or 2, and is high in the sky at first light. Tomorrow, the Moon will be especially close to Mars. At their closest, they’ll be about one degree apart – the width of a pencil held at arm’s length. The planet looks like a bright star. But it might be tough to see its orange color through the moonlight. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun – the next one out beyond Earth. It’s also the Sun’s fourth-smallest planet – a little more than half the diameter of Earth. Jupiter stands below them as they climb skyward. It’s much brighter than Mars. In fact, it’s brighter than anything else in the night sky other than the Moon and Venus, which is pulling into view as the “morning star.” Jupiter is the next planet out. And it’s the largest planet in the solar system – about 11 times Earth’s diameter. That’s one reason it looks so bright, even though it’s about three times farther than Mars. Regulus is about the same distance below Jupiter. It’s the faintest member of the lineup. But it’s one of the brighter true stars in the night sky, so you won’t have any trouble picking it out. It represents the heart of Leo. The Moon will stand especially close to it on Tuesday, and we’ll have more about that tomorrow. Script by Damond Benningfield