Prepare to be mesmerized! On January 6th, the waning gibbous moon will dance with the brilliant star Regulus, offering a celestial spectacle that's not to be missed. For some lucky stargazers, there's even a chance to witness the moon completely eclipse Regulus, hiding its ancient light from our view.
To catch this cosmic show, look towards the eastern horizon around 8:50 p.m. local time on the night of January 5th. You'll find the 85% illuminated waning gibbous moon, glowing about 5 degrees to the lower left of Regulus. That's roughly the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length.
As the night progresses, the moon will appear to move away from Regulus as they both arc across the winter sky. Over the following days, the moon will journey through the constellation Virgo, leading up to its third quarter phase on January 10th. At this point, the left half of the moon will be lit by direct sunlight, while the right side remains in shadow.
But here's where it gets exciting: If you're in eastern Europe, Asia, or the Pacific, you might witness something truly special. The moon could pass directly in front of Regulus, an event known as an occultation to astronomers.
If you're in parts of Russia, China, or Kazakhstan, you'll get your first glimpse of the occultation at 10:19 a.m. EST (1519 GMT) on January 6th. Viewers in Japan and South Korea will follow. The Midway Islands and Wake Islands will be the last to witness this event, with the occultation ending at 1:27 p.m. EST (1837 GMT).
These occultations are possible because Regulus is located very close to the ecliptic, the path the sun and planets appear to follow across the sky throughout the year.
Want to capture the magic of the night sky yourself? Consider checking out the best lenses and cameras for astrophotography. If you want to make detailed observations of the moon and worlds of the solar system, be sure to check out the best telescopes available.
What do you think? Are you planning to watch the moon and Regulus? Have you ever witnessed an occultation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! And if you capture a stunning photo, be sure to share it with the community!
Disclaimer: The original article was written in April 2025. This content has been updated to reflect the current date.
