Skywatchers across the globe can witness a stunning conjunction of the moon and Mars shortly after sunset on Monday, July 28. Visible low in the west, the striking pair will be visible during twilight in the western sky before setting a few hours later. That evening, shooting stars are expected as both the Southern delta Aquariids and the alpha Capricornids meteor showers peak.
Close up earth view with moon and mars in view
The conjunction of the moon and Mars will be best seen about 45 minutes after sunset and be visible for around an hour before setting in the west.
A clear view of the western horizon is recommended. Although it will be easily visible to the naked eye as twilight takes hold, binoculars will make it easier to scan the sky. The moon will be below and slightly to the left of Mars.
The waxing crescent moon will be 19%-illuminated, with its night side bathed in Earthshine — sunlight reflected from Earth's ice caps, clouds and oceans onto the lunar surface,
Mars won’t be at its peak brightness — that happened last January — but its distinct reddish hue will be obvious as it gets darker.
Although the conjunction will only be visible for one night, if it's cloudy, it's worth looking again the next night. On Tuesday, July 29, the waxing crescent moon will be 27%-illuminated and still be displaying Earthshine. Instead of being beneath Mars, it will be alongside it. The moon will be on the left and Mars on the right above due west.
Mars reached opposition on Jan. 16, when it made its closest approach to Earth since 2022. It's been prominent for most of the year and will continue to be visible shortly after sunset for a few months, eventually becoming lost in the sun's glare in late November. Mars will next come to opposition on Feb. 19, 2027.
Just hours after observing the moon-Mars conjunction, two meteor showers will peak — the Southern delta Aquariids and the alpha Capricornids. Expect up to 25 shooting stars per hour from the Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower. Although the Alpha Capricornids contribute just five shooting stars per hour at their peak, they tend to include bright and colorful fireballs, according to the American Meteor Society. The Piscis Austrinid meteor shower will peak the previous night, in the early hours of July 28, with about five meteors per hour possible, according to In-The-Sky.org. With the crescent moon and Mars setting a few hours after sunset, July 28-29 will be an excellent night for stargazing and looking for shooting stars if the skies are clear.