Topline
On the night of Saturday, April 25, skywatchers in 18 japanese U.S. states, in addition to in components of Mexico and northern South America, could have the possibility to observe a uncommon lunar occultation as brilliant star Regulus disappears behind the moon. In the course of the occasion, the moon will drift in entrance of one of many night time sky’s most well-known stars earlier than it blinks again into view minutes later. A superb sight in a pair of binoculars, will probably be seen within the early night. Right here’s when, the place and the best way to watch the lunar occultation of Regulus.
On Saturday, April 25, a 70%-lit waxing gibbous moon will sit extraordinarily near Regulus excessive within the southwestern sky after darkish. (Picture exhibits a timelapse of Mars being occulted by the moon in 2022).
getty
Key Information
On Saturday, April 25, a 70%-lit waxing gibbous moon will sit extraordinarily near Regulus excessive within the southwestern sky after darkish. It should happen between 7:16 and 11:38 p.m. EDT.
Elements of japanese North America, Central America and northern South America will see a full occultation. On the similar time, some areas will witness a uncommon grazing occultation as Regulus seems to skip alongside the sting of the moon. Whether or not you see a full occultation, a close to miss or just an in depth conjunction relies upon completely on the place you might be.
Elements of six states will see Regulus each disappear and reappear: japanese Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, japanese Virginia and japanese North Carolina.
Elements of 18 states will see Regulus reappear solely: New York (southwest tip), New Jersey (southern), Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana (southern), Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
Regulus is about 79 light-years from the solar and is the twenty first brightest star within the night time sky.
A chart exhibiting Regulus reappearing from behind the moon on April 26, 2026.
Stellarium
What Is An Occultation?
An occultation is when the moon passes in entrance of a distant object, blocking it from view. Regulus will disappear immediately behind the moon’s darkish limb as a result of the moon has no ambiance. Its return from behind the brilliant lunar limb might be simply as sudden, however harder to see as a result of the moon is so brilliant.
Pattern Instances For Main Cities
Listed here are the precise occasions of disappearance and reappearance for cities within the six states that may see the total occultation. Actual occasions for any location can be found at In-The-Sky.org.
- In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Regulus will disappear at 8:53 p.m. EDT and reappear at 9:16 p.m. EDT.
- In Baltimore, Maryland, Regulus will disappear at 8:43 p.m. EDT and reappear at 9:21 p.m. EDT.
- In Washington, D.C., Regulus will disappear at 8:41 p.m. EDT and reappear at 9:25 p.m. EDT.
- In Wilmington, Delaware, Regulus will disappear at 8:51 p.m. EDT and reappear at 9:17 p.m. EDT.
- In Richmond, Virginia, Regulus will disappear at 8:41 p.m. EDT and reappear at 9:28 p.m. EDT.
- In Norfolk, Virginia, Regulus will disappear at 8:38 p.m. EDT and reappear at 9:31 p.m. EDT.
- In Wilmington, North Carolina, Regulus will disappear at 8:33 p.m. EDT and reappear at 9:39 p.m. EDT.
Map of the lunar occultation of Regulus on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from In-The-Sky.org/Dominic Ford.
In-The-Sky.org/Dominic Ford
What Is Regulus?
Regulus, typically known as the “Coronary heart of the Lion,” marks the bottom of Leo’s distinctive backward question-mark form, often called the Sickle of Leo. A sizzling, blue-white star roughly 4 occasions the solar’s diameter and way more luminous, Regulus sits alongside the ecliptic — the trail the solar, moon and planets comply with by way of the sky — so the moon steadily passes near Regulus, however hardly ever occults it for any given location. Regulus is the twenty first brightest star within the night time sky.
