November 22, 2026: Mars passes Regulus three times in a rare triple conjunction spanning 2026 and 2027. Learn how retrograde motion creates the three encounters.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:49 a.m. CST; Sunset, 4:25 p.m. CST. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
A Rare Mars-Regulus Triple Conjunction
A rare triple conjunction of Mars and Regulus is about to commence.
Triple Conjunctions
A triple conjunction occurs when a bright outer planet passes another planet or bright star three times during a planetary apparition between two successive conjunctions with the sun. The term is frequently misunderstood in the popular press as a collection of three bright astronomical objects, typically two planets and the moon.
Coordinate Systems
For planets, astronomy uses two coordinate systems, one based on Earth’s equator and the second framed on the ecliptic – the plane of the solar system. The celestial equator is a projection of Earth’s equator in the sky. Celestial bodies that pass overhead (at the zenith) have the same latitude, or declination, as the local terrestrial latitude. For example, sky watchers at 24° north latitude can see the Pleiades star cluster overhead. The cluster’s declination is 24° north. Values of right ascension are tabulated in hours and minutes.
Ecliptic System
The ecliptic system uses the plane of the solar system as its reference. A star’s position is either north or south of the plane. Celestial longitude is measured along the ecliptic. The two coordinate systems are tilted 23.5° to each other, the angle of Earth’s axial tilt relative to its orbital plane.
Conjunctions occur when a planet’s celestial longitude equals a star’s or another planet’s longitude. This is the convention used for conjunctions in these articles. In the equatorial system, conjunctions occur when the bodies have the same right ascension. The conjunctions in the two systems may occur a few days apart, especially when the separation is wide.
For any location, the conjunction may occur when the bodies are below the local horizon. For any sky watcher, the conjunction may occur at a different time from when they see the bodies closest together.
Triple Conjunction
A triple conjunction with a star occurs when the outer planet is near opposition. The first conjunction occurs as the planet appears to move eastward, or direct. As Earth overtakes the distant world, the line of sight shifts westward, making the planet appear to move in that direction as it passes the star a second time. After Earth passes the planet, the line of sight shifts eastward again, with the third conjunction occurring as the planet resumes its direct motion.
Mars passes Regulus about every two years. After this triple conjunction, the next Mars-Regulus conjunction occurs October 23, 2028, followed by one on October 2, 2030, then September 12, 2032, and at regular intervals thereafter.
In comparison, Mars-Regulus triple conjunctions occur as often as every 15 years and range to 32 years. When Mars approaches opposition in 2042, Mars stops 2.8° of ecliptic longitude short of the first Regulus conjunction before retrograde begins. Mars does not make the usual first conjunction before reversing direction. Its conjunction with Regulus occurs on May 30, 2042, after the planet turns direct. This produces a different sequence from the usual three-pass triple conjunction.
The accompanying chart at the top of the article shows the apparent positions of Mars compared to Leo. Jupiter is in the region, but it is not included. The Jovian Giant stops 3.2° west of Regulus on December 12. The next triple conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus occurs in 2039, 71 years after the last event.
Because the main chart is in ecliptic coordinates and without Jupiter, here are the sky views of Mars’ three conjunctions with Regulus:
Rare Mars-Regulus Triple Conjunction
November 26, 2026
An hour before sunrise, bright Jupiter is high in the southern sky, 3.6° to Regulus’ right. Mars is 1.7° to the star’s upper left.
As Earth overtakes Jupiter and Mars, they rise earlier each night. On this night, they appear above the horizon about 90 minutes before local midnight.
February 20, 2027
This is an interesting evening of sky watching. Rising at sunset, Mars is at opposition with Earth between the planet and the sun. It is closest to Earth at 63 million miles and at its second conjunction (4.0°) with Regulus. The moon passes through Earth’s outer shadow across the eastern hemisphere and is ending in eastern North America as the lunar orb rises. On this night Jupiter is 9.5° to Regulus’ upper right.
May 14, 2027
Now farther westward after sunset, Mars is 55°above the southwest, 1.2° to Regulus’ upper right. The third meeting in this triple conjunction occurs as Mars passes Regulus. Jupiter is 11.7° to Regulus’ lower right. The moon, 71% illuminated, is nearly 20° to Regulus’ left.
Watch Mars pass through its retrograde loop while it passes Regulus in a rare triple conjunction.
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