Astronomical wonder: Star Regulus joins Moon and Mars on May 19-22
By ANISaturday, May 15, 2010
WASHINGTON - The world is set to witness a spectacular planetary wonder between May 19 and 22nd, when the bright star Regulus joins the Moon and the planet Mars to form a beautiful line-up high in the southern sky.
According to the editors of StarDate magazine, Mars will be in good view above the Moon as night falls. Regulus shines to the left of Mars, slightly higher. Regulus is the brightest star of Leo, the lion, and is more massive, hotter, and brighter than the Sun. Mars looks like a bright orange star.
On May 20, Regulus will shine a little to the upper right of the first-quarter Moon, with bright orange Mars farther to the Moon right. The trio will form a wide, skinny triangle. They will be high in the sky at nightfall, and drop from view by around 2 a.m.
On May 21, the Moon will lie between Saturn (due south) and Mars (in the southwest) at nightfall. Saturn looks like a bright golden star.
By May 22, the Moon shines below Saturn, high in the south at sunset. (ANI)
