This week, the first quarter moon will pass by Spica, the brightest star in the Virgo constellation. The moon will be closest to the star in the early hours of 14 July. The moon will be about 7.5 days old and half of its visible surface will be illuminated.
For those in North and Central America, the moon will block Spica from view in a phenomenon known as an occultation. This is a rare and mesmerizing sight to witness, as the bright star disappears behind the moon. If you want to observe this event, it is recommended to use binoculars. However, it is important to never look at the sky with binoculars or any other optical aid when the sun is still up, as it can cause permanent blindness.
To find out if the occultation will be visible from your location, you can visit in-the-sky.org and enter your location using the button on the right-hand side of the page. Enjoy this celestial event and make sure to take proper precautions while observing the night sky.
