June 4-6, 2025: The waxing evening moon approaches and passes Spica in the southern sky.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Moon and Spica
After sunset, the bright evening moon is in the southern sky. During these three evenings, the lunar orb approaches and passes Spica, Virgo’s brightest star. Here’s what to see one hour after nightfall:
- June 4: The bright gibbous moon, 69% illuminated, is over 40° up in the south-southwest. Tonight, it is over 15° to Spica’s upper right. Look carefully for Porrima, also known as Gamma Virginis, 6.1° to the moon’s upper left. Mars is nearly 45° to the moon’s lower right. The Red Planet is nearly 35° up in the west-southwest and 7.0° to Regulus’ lower right, Leo’s brightest star.
- June 5: The moon, 77% illuminated, is nearly 40° up in the south, but lower than last night. It is 5.8° to Spica’s upper right. Later tomorrow, daytime in North America, the moon occults or eclipses the star for sky watchers in the southern half of Africa, Madagascar, and southern New Zealand. This is the 14th occultation in a series of 20.
- June 6: Approaching the Full phase in five nights, the moon, 85% illuminated, is over 30° above the southern horizon and 6.3° to Spica’s lower left. Zubenelgenubi, part of Libra, is over 15° to the moon’s lower left.
Use a binocular to identify Porrima and Zubenelgenubi in the bright moonlight.
This month’s Full Moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, occurs on June 11 at 2:44 a.m. Central Time.
Look for the waxing bright moon each evening as it approaches and passes Spica.
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