Space, the final frontier… The skies have fascinated and shaped civilizations ever since we first set foot on this planet we call home. And even though science keeps advancing at lightning speed, everything that happens above our heads never ceases to amaze us.
This month, a series of celestial events will make July feel more magical than ever, from dazzling meteor showers to breathtaking full moons. And to top it all off, the crescent Moon will appear side by side with the Red Planet in a stunning conjunction, National Geographic reports.
Known as a conjunction (a term that astrology fans are very familiar with), this phenomenon happens when two celestial bodies seem to pass very close to each other from our point of view on Earth. While the Moon and Mars do meet up occasionally, not every encounter is this visually striking. This time, the Moon will be in its crescent phase, casting a soft silver glow, while Mars will shine with its signature reddish hue.
This particular celestial event, will take place on July 28, just after sunset, making it easy to catch with the naked eye. For those in SoCal, more especially near the L.A. area, the show will unfold in the western sky, about 45 minutes after the sun goes down.
At that time, both the Moon and Mars will be low on the horizon, so finding an open view of the sky (like at a beach, a hilltop, or an overlook) will offer the best experience. Binoculars or a telescope, can enhance the view, but even without them, the scene should be unmistakable: a glowing crescent paired with a reddish dot, suspended in the twilight.
