July 19-21, 2026: Watch the waxing moon approach, pass, and move away from Spica after sunset. Includes observing details for July 19-21 and First Quarter Moon timing.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Venus as an Evening Star
Moon Passes Spica
The waxing crescent moon is farther eastward each evening in front of Virgo’s brightest stars as Venus dominates the western evening sky.
Step outside an hour after sunset. Brilliant Venus shines from the west while the moon moves eastward from evening to evening near Virgo’s brightest stars. The lunar orb approaches, passes, and moves away from Spica, Virgo’s brightest star, over 20° above the southwest horizon.
Highlights
Here’s what to see:
• July 19: The waxing crescent moon, 36% illuminated, is 18° above the west-southwest horizon. The moon is bright enough this evening to cast shadows on the ground. The lunar orb is 13° to Spica’s lower right and 7.1° to Porrima’s lower left, also known as Gamma Virginis. Porrima is one of Virgo’s brighter stars and a useful binocular landmark.
• July 20: The moon, 46% illuminated, is 20° above the southwest horizon, 3.0° below Spica. This is the closest evening pairing of the moon and Spica during this lunation. Use a binocular to see the star above the moon.
• July 21: The slightly gibbous moon, 56% illuminated, is over 20° above the southwest horizon, 12.6° to Spica’s lower left. The moon reaches the First Quarter phase at 6:06 a.m. Central Time when it is below the horizon in the Americas. After sunset, the moon appears slightly beyond the evening half phase.
Look for the moon as it approaches, passes, and moves away from Spica while continuing through the waxing phases of this lunation.
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