The bright red planet Mars will appear right next to one of the brighest stars in the evening sky, the star Regulus. You can see the two high in the southwestern sky in the early evening. Take a look in the nights ahead for this noteworthy conjunction. Next week, the two will be so close, less than one degree apart, looking like they are close enough to have a conversation.
The two are closest on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, but any night this week, and the coming week is a good time to see. The two are dramatically different in color. Can you tell. Mars is a brilliant ruby red. Regulus is a bright blueish white star.
Though apparently close, there distance from us is significantly different. Mars is 165,260,000 miles away. Regulus is 77 light years away. It takes light from Mars at least 14 minutes to get to us. It takes light from Regulus 77 years go reach us.
Regulus is the principal, the brightest star in the constellation Leo.
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., June 13 | 5:06 | 8:16 |
| Sat., June 14 | 5:06 | 8:17 |
| Sun., June 15 | 5:06 | 8:17 |
| Mon., June 16 | 5:06 | 8:17 |
| Tues., June 17 | 5:06 | 8:18 |
| Wed., June 18 | 5:06 | 8:18 |
| Thurs., June 19 | 5:06 | 8:18 |
| Fri., June 20 | 5:06 | 8:19 |
| Day | Max (Fº) | Min (Fº) | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 6 | 79 | 60 | 0.00 |
| June 7 | 78 | 61 | T |
| June 8 | 71 | 57 | 0.06 |
| June 9 | 71 | 57 | T |
| June 10 | 62 | 58 | 0.03 |
| June 11 | 71 | 58 | 1.54 |
| June 12 | 76 | 60 | 0.00 |
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