October 7, 2026: Before sunrise, look for Jupiter, Regulus, and Moon align in the eastern sky.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:54 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 6:22 p.m. CDT. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA 4computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Crescent Moon in Eastern Sky
Step outside an hour before sunrise. Bright Jupiter is less than halfway from the eastern horizon to overhead. The Jovin Giant outshines all the stars in the sky this morning, even Sirius, about 30° above the southern horizon. It is 9.5° to Regulus’ upper right, Leo’ brightest star.
This morning, the crescent moon, 11% illuminated, is 5.2° to Regulus’ lower left. Jupiter, Regulus, and Moon span 14.7°.
Notice earthshine on the moon. This effect is sunlight reflected from Earth’s oceans, clouds, and land that gently illuminates the lunar night. Photograph it with a tripod-mounted camera or a steady camera phone. Use exposures up to several seconds. Any exposure over a fraction of a second overexposes the lunar crescent, but reveals earthshine.
Look for this pretty alignment of Jupiter, Moon, and Regulus before sunrise.
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, November 15: Jupiter-Mars Conjunction and Bright Planets
November 15, 2026: See Mars and Jupiter close together before sunrise, find Venus near Spica and Mercury low in the east-southeast, and observe the waxing Moon and Saturn after sunset. - 2026, November 14: Jupiter-Mars Conjunction Approaches as the Moon Visits Sagittarius
November 14, 2026: Watch Mars approach Jupiter before sunrise, find Venus near Spica and Mercury low in the east, and explore the Dog’s Kingdom near the waxing crescent moon after sunset. - 2026, November 13: Mars Approaches Jupiter as Venus Loops Around Spica
November 13, 2026: Watch Mars approach its November 16 conjunction with Jupiter, while Venus appears near Spica before sunrise. Find the waxing crescent moon, earthshine, and Saturn after sunset. - 2026, November 12: Venus Near Spica, Mars Approaches Jupiter, and the Evening Crescent Moon
November 12, 2026: Find Venus near Spica and Mercury low before sunrise. Watch Mars approach Jupiter, see the evening crescent moon with earthshine, and observe Saturn after sunset. - 2026, November 11-15: The Evening Crescent Moon and Earthshine
November 11-15, 2026: Watch the crescent moon move through Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, and Capricornus. Find the Teapot, observe earthshine, and follow the Moon toward First Quarter.