Derekscope

Moon passes through the Beehive Cluster (Messier44)

• The crescent moon will appear a close approach and a partial lunar occultation of the Beehive Cluster (Messier 44 – Open Cluster) in the constellation Cancer.
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Close approach of the Moon and Mars

• You do not need a telescope!
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• Because they are spread out across a small gap (about the width of three fingers), they are perfectly framed for your naked eyes or a pair of binoculars.
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The Moon at Perigee

• The Moon reaches perigee ~ the closest point in its orbit from Earth.
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• The Moon appears slightly smaller and dimmer in the sky compared to perigee.
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Rising of Open Cluster Messier 35 with the Moon

• A Moon will pass very close to the open star cluster Messier 35 (M35) in the constellation Gemini.
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• The Moon and M35 will rise together in the north-eastern/East sky around 1:30 AM BST and will reach a prominent elevation in the pre-dawn hours.
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• Centre the crescent Moon in your binoculars ~ M35 will appear as a faint, shimmering spray of stars right in the same field of view.
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Minimum brightness times for Algol Minima

• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol (Beta Persei).
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• Read more – Algol
  – How to find Algol in Perseus?
  – Deaf astronomer John Goodricke
  

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• At the exact moment of Last Quarter, the Moon is in the constellation Taurus.
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• This is an excellent time to observe the 22 days old Moon (map) through binoculars or a telescope because the line between lunar night and day (the terminator) highlights craters and mountains with dramatic shadows.
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Messier 45 and the Moon

• While the Moon and the brightest stars of M45 (Seven Sisters) are visible to the naked eye, a standard pair of binoculars will help pull stars of the cluster out from the Moon’s bright wash.
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• The pairing takes place in the constellation Taurus.
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• The Moon will pass close to the Pleiades star cluster (M45) in the night sky on Thursday 3rd September 2026.
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Minimum brightness times for Algol Minima

• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol (Beta Persei).
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• Read more – Algol
  – How to find Algol in Perseus?
  – Deaf astronomer John Goodricke
  

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Conjunction of Venus and Spica

Observation Details

• Direction
  Look toward the west-southwest horizon.
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• Time
  Start looking 45 minutes after sunset during evening twilight.
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• Altitude
  The pair (Venus and Spica) will sit very low, roughly 10 degrees above the horizon, meaning you will need a completely unobstructed view clear of buildings or trees.
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• Visual Appearance
  Venus will dominate the sky, blazing white at a spectacular magnitude of -4.5. In contrast, Spica will appear much subtler as a vivid blue-white point at magnitude 1.0, about 50 times fainter than Venus.
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Equipment and Viewing Tips

• Naked Eye
  Venus is easily visible even in bright twilight, while Spica will become clearer as the sky darkens.
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• Binoculars
  Highly recommended. Because they are less than 2 degrees apart, both objects will fit beautifully within a single binocular field of view, highlighting their intense colour contrast.
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• Telescopes
  A small telescope will reveal that Venus is on its inside track around the Sun, appearing as a waning crescent shape that is only about 38% to 45% illuminated.
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According to 2026 August Astronomy Highlights

• Just a casual phone snap of Saturn hanging out below the Moon.
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