On Sunday night the gibbous moon appears close to the bright star Spica in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. Spica is one of the largest and thus brilliant stars in our night sky making our own sun as little beach ball by comparison. Spica is 12,000 times brighter than our own sun and it is seven times the size.

And Spica is far away too. This bright star is 260 light years away from our sun. For comparison, the bright Vega which is now rising in the East is only 25 light years away.

The moon and Spica are close, only 3 degrees apart. Take a serious look for both, for it will be easy to miss Spica.

Stargazing Event

Come by the Martha's Vineyard Museum Monday, June 17 at 9 p.m. for stargazing. The museum is hosting this event and I'll be telling stories. To make the night sky easier, the staff of the museum will turn out all the visible lights in the building, so the viewing is ideal. Bring your interest in the distant universe and we'll try and answer your questions.