June 22-24, 2026: Watch the waxing gibbous moon pass Spica, Virgo’s brightest star, during three evenings after sunset. Follow the moon’s changing position near the blue-white star.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Venus as an Evening Star
Waxing Gibbous Moon Passes Spica
After sunset, the waxing gibbous moon approaches and passes Spica, Virgo’s brightest star.
Spica is the 10th brightest star visible from the mid-northern latitudes. The blue-white star shines with nearly 2,000 times the sun’s light from a distance of about 250 light-years.
The Highlights
Step outside an hour after sunset. The June gibbous moon is near Spica in the southern sky, making the star easy to identify during the next three evenings. Here’s what to see:
• June 22: The gibbous moon, 62% illuminated, is over 30° above the south-southwest horizon and 8.9° to Spica’s lower right.
• June 23: The moon, 71% illuminated, is over 30° above the south-southwest horizon and nearly 5° to Spica’s lower left.
• June 24: The gibbous moon, 80% illuminated, is nearly 30° above the southern horizon. It is 16° to Spica’s lower left.
The moon’s eastward motion carries it from Spica’s lower right to its lower left during the three-evening display.
Watch the waxing gibbous moon pass Virgo’s brightest star during the next three evenings after sunset.
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