A Rare Sky Show in Leo: See Moon, Venus, and Regulus Close Together on September 19
A rare celestial alignment is happening on September 19, 2025: the Moon, Venus, and Regulus will shine close together in the morning sky, with a lunar occultation of Venus visible from some regions. In this guide, we'll show what to see, where to look, and how to capture the moment – with help from the Sky Tonight app to plan it all.
Contents
- What you’ll see in the sky
- When and where to look
- How to observe it
- Breaking down the triple encounter: 7 events in one morning
- Moon-Venus-Regulus triple encounter: to sum up
What you’ll see in the sky
On September 19, the Moon, Venus (the brightest planet in the sky), and Regulus (the brightest star in the constellation Leo) will appear close together in the morning twilight. In some parts of the world, the Moon will even briefly hide Venus from view. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect.
Visible worldwide: the Moon, Venus, and Regulus close together
In the morning sky on September 19, the Moon, Venus, and Regulus will appear close together, forming a compact trio:
- The Moon will be a thin crescent, only 5% illuminated. Since it’s just three days before New Moon, its darkened side will likely be softly lit by earthshine, caused by sunlight reflecting off Earth, which appears almost fully-illuminated from the Moon’s point of view.
- Just next to it, the planet Venus will shine very brightly (mag -3.9), easily the most prominent object in the group.
- Slightly farther away, the bright star Regulus will be visible as a fainter point of light (mag 1.4).
The exact arrangement of the three objects will vary depending on your location, due to the Moon’s apparent position shifting slightly from different points on Earth. For example, observers in New York, USA, will see all three objects tightly grouped within a 1-degree field of view – close enough to cover them all with a fingertip at arm’s length. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Australia, they’ll appear more spread out, reaching a separation of about 4 degrees.
Visible in specific locations: the lunar occultation of Venus
In some parts of the world, the Moon and Venus won’t just appear close – they’ll align so precisely that the Moon will pass directly in front of Venus, creating a lunar occultation. During this event, Venus will temporarily disappear behind the Moon’s sunlit edge, then reappear from the darker, unlit side.
This occultation will be visible from specific regions, including Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Outside these areas, Venus and the Moon will appear close together. If you’re in the visibility zone, it’s worth catching – the next widely visible lunar occultation of Venus will only occur on June 18, 2026, when it will be seen across central North America and parts of northern South America.
When and where to look
The best time to observe the triple encounter is in the early morning on September 19, 1–2 hours before your local sunrise. Look toward the eastern sky, where the trio will rise in the constellation Leo. Since the Moon, Venus, and Regulus will be fairly low on the horizon, make sure you have an unobstructed view to the east.
How to check visibility and timing for your area
To see exactly when and where the Moon, Venus, and Regulus will appear from your location, follow these simple steps in the Sky Tonight app:
- Open the app on your device and tap the calendar icon at the bottom of the screen to access the events calendar.
- In the calendar window, select September 19. You'll see a list of that day’s events, each marked with a blue time stamp that reflects your local time zone.
- Open an event card to read more details, or tap the target icon to preview how the objects will be arranged in the sky at that moment.
If you’d like visual guidance on these steps, we have a helpful video tutorial demonstrating the calendar features in action.
How to observe it
- All three objects – Venus, the Moon, and Regulus – are bright enough to be seen without optical aid. They will stand out clearly in the early morning twilight.
- Binoculars are a great option for enhancing the view. They’ll allow a closer look at the crescent Moon and Venus, and make Regulus easier to spot.
- A telescope offers the most detailed view of the occultation, revealing the exact moments Venus disappears and reappears at the Moon’s edge.
How to photograph it
The close grouping of the Moon, Venus, and Regulus is a fantastic opportunity for beginner astrophotographers. You can capture this beautiful sky scene, even with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or mobile device. Check our beginner’s guide to astrophotography, where we explain camera settings, gear, and techniques in more detail. Here are a few quick tips to get started:
- Use a wide-angle lens to frame all three objects together.
- Before the dawn breaks, pre-focus your camera on the Moon or Venus for best sharpness.
- Include foreground elements like trees, buildings, or a skyline to give the scene a sense of place and scale.
- Use a tripod to keep your image stable, especially if you’re working with longer exposures.
- Aim to shoot during blue hour (the time just before sunrise) for rich colors and balanced lighting.
Breaking down the triple encounter: 7 events in one morning
The close grouping we’ll see on September 19 is the result of a series of conjunctions and close approaches occurring between the Moon, Venus, and Regulus within a single morning.
What are conjunctions and close approaches?
- A conjunction happens when two celestial objects share the same right ascension – an astronomical coordinate similar to longitude in the sky – causing them to appear close together from Earth.
- A close approach refers to the moment when the two objects reach their minimum angular distance in the sky, which may differ slightly in timing from the conjunction.
The Moon frequently meets planets in conjunctions and close approaches, creating eye-catching scenes throughout the year. Check our separate article to see what planets the Moon meets this month.
Moon-Venus-Regulus meeting timeline
- Venus and Regulus reach conjunction at 08:59 GMT, appearing 0°30′ apart. Their closest approach happens later, at 15:58 GMT, with a slightly tighter separation of 0°28′.
- The Moon and Regulus are in conjunction at 11:11 GMT, with an angular distance of 1°24′. They come closest at 12:55 GMT, just 1°10′ apart.
- The Moon and Venus have their conjunction at 11:46 GMT, with a separation of 0°48′. Their closest approach is at 12:30 GMT, when they’re only 0°43′ apart.
- In addition, a lunar occultation of Venus occurs for some regions. It begins at 10:34 GMT and ends at 14:26 GMT, as the Moon passes directly in front of Venus from the perspective of certain parts of the world.
These interconnected encounters combine to create one striking, dynamic view in the morning sky.
Moon-Venus-Regulus triple encounter: to sum up
The early morning of September 19, 2025, offers a beautiful celestial display as the Moon, Venus, and Regulus gather in the constellation Leo. In some regions, viewers will also witness a lunar occultation of Venus, as the Moon briefly hides the planet from view. This astronomical event is easy to enjoy with the unaided eye. The best time to view it is 1–2 hours before sunrise, when the trio will be low in the eastern sky. To check exact timings and visibility for your area, use Sky Tonight.
What’s coming next: two big events on September 21
Just two days after this elegant alignment, the sky will deliver two major events worth watching:
-
On September 21, Saturn will be at opposition – the point where it’s directly opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky. That means it will appear at its biggest and brightest for the year – perfect for viewing. Check our article about oppositions to learn more about how oppositions work.
-
Also on September 21, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from New Zealand, Australia, and Antarctica. While it won’t be seen from most of the world, it remains a rare and fascinating celestial event worth following through livestreams and eclipse-tracking tools. Check our separate article for eclipse visibility maps, timing, and safe viewing tips.
