February 2, 2026: On Groundhog Day, the bright Snow Moon occults Regulus across North America. Learn when and where to watch this eclipse of Leo’s brightest star.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 7:02 a.m. CST; Sunset, 5:07 p.m. CST. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Groundhog Day Traditional Winter Midpoint
On this day that traditionally marks winter’s midpoint—historically named Candlemas, and known in modern lore as Groundhog Day—the bright Snow Moon occults (eclipses) the bright star Regulus for sky watchers across a wide swath of Africa, the Atlantic Ocean basin, and North America. (See this source for disappearance and reappearance times; convert UT to your local time zone.) Tonight’s event is the eighth in a series of 20 Moon–Regulus occultations that continue through December 27.
Moon Occults the Star Regulus
Regulus is Leo’s brightest star and the 15th brightest star visible from mid-northern latitudes. It is the brightest star nearest the ecliptic—the plane of the solar system—so the planets and the moon regularly pass nearby. During the current cycle, the moon’s orbit crosses our line of sight to Regulus, producing this series of occultations. The next cycle of 20 Moon–Regulus occultations begins in 2035.
Because of the moon’s brightness and its close proximity to Regulus, the star can be difficult to see at first glance. Use a binocular or a spotting scope to watch the moon approach the star, cover it, and then move away. Be aware that the moon’s brightness can produce a temporary afterimage in your vision, similar to the spot that appears after a camera flash.
When to See the Occultation
Across the eastern portion of North America, the occultation occurs during the early evening hours. Farther west, the event is already in progress as the sky darkens.
Step outside about two hours after sunset. The bright moon, 98% illuminated, is low in the eastern sky. Look carefully for Regulus, 0.5° to the lunar orb’s lower left. As the moon rises higher into the eastern sky, it moves eastward and covers the star at the bright eastern lunar limb.
In Chicago and Kansas City, the occultation begins at 7:45 p.m. In Boston and Washington, D.C., the disappearance occurs at 8:53 p.m., and in Atlanta at 9:00 p.m. Regulus reappears at the moon’s western limb about one hour after it disappears.
From farther west across North America, the occultation is already underway at nightfall. Regulus reappears at 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time, and about five minutes earlier from Albuquerque.
By the time the moon rises across Arizona and the Pacific Time Zone, the occultation has concluded.
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