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Thesummer solsticeon June 21 may be an important one-year observance on Earth , but by from the sun being its highest in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere , it ’s not typically a stargazing event . That changes in 2023 with the appearance in the solstice ’s evening twilight of Venus , Mars and a slender crescentmoonin the western sky .
The three ethereal body wo n’t seem this penny-pinching together again to observers in North and South America until March 28 , 2028 , according toWhen The Curves Line Up . With coalition also come out on the evenings before and after the solstice , it ’s a great workweek to be outside in crepuscule , with the contribute bonus ofDa Vinci glow — or Earthshine , sun reflected by the Earth onto the dark lunar surface — visible on the waxing crescent moon .
Mars, Venus, and the shining crescent moon will align on the summer solstice (June 21)
Related : Summer solstice : The science behind the long twenty-four hours of the year
If you want to face for the slimmest crescent synodic month potential then usestargazing binocularsto bump it in twilight low on the western sensible horizon on Monday , June 19 . It will be just over 3 % illuminated , so may be difficult to spot in the shining post - sunset sky .
The undermentioned even , Tuesday , June 20 , will see a slightly brighter and in high spirits crescent lunation form a line in the sky with bright Venus and dim Mars . The moonshine will be almost 8 % lighted and will display lifelike Da Vinci beam on its darken arm .
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Perhaps the best view of the three consistency comes on Wednesday , June 21 during the first twilight following the starting of the summer solstice , agree toTimeanddate.com . The start of astronomical summertime in the Northern Hemisphere will be marked by a right - slant triangle of Mars , Venus and a 13 % illuminated crescent lunation , though dense mars may be hard to blot without opera glasses or agood belittled scope . Look out for Da Vinci glow on the moon once again .
The final mickle of the calendar week pass off the following eventide when , on Thursday , June 22 , a 21 % illuminated crescent moon will align once again with Mars and Venus , but this clock time from above the pair . The moon will also be close to Regulus in the configuration Leo .
All of these sights can be see with the naked center , but for a prominent closing curtain - up of Da Vinci glow on the lunar surface a brace of stargazing binoculars or a scope will help .
