If you enjoy calm moments under the night sky, you’ll love what’s coming up on November 13, 2025. In the early morning hours, the thin waning crescent Moon will appear very close to Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. It’s not a rare event, but it’s a beautiful one — simple, peaceful, and worth waking up a little early for.
This kind of “meeting” happens because the Moon moves across the sky from night to night, passing by different stars and constellations along its path. On this particular morning, Regulus happens to be in its way, creating a lovely pairing that skywatchers across the world will be able to enjoy.
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What Exactly Is Happening?
Regulus is a bright, blue-white star located about 79 light-years away. It’s the heart of the constellation Leo, and one of the brightest stars we can see with the naked eye. The Moon, of course, is much closer — only 384,000 kilometers from Earth — but when seen from our viewpoint, they appear to line up in the same general part of the sky.
On November 13, the Moon will be a waning crescent, which means only a small part of it will be illuminated. This creates a gentle, soft glow that looks especially stunning when paired with a bright star like Regulus. The thin crescent also makes the sky around it darker, helping Regulus stand out even more.
This is not an eclipse or an occultation. The Moon will not cover Regulus. They will simply appear close together — a visual treat for anyone who enjoys stargazing.
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When and Where to Look
The best time to watch this event is before dawn, roughly 30–60 minutes before your local sunrise. At this time, the sky is still dark enough for stars to be visible, but the Moon will be rising and easy to spot.
Here’s how to see it:
Direction: Look toward the east or east-southeast horizon.
Timing: Start watching at least an hour before sunrise.
Location: Ideally, find a place with a clear, open view of the horizon. High buildings, mountains, or trees may block the Moon if it’s still low in the sky.
Equipment: You don’t need binoculars or a telescope, though they can make the view even better. A regular phone camera may capture the scene if you experiment with night mode or long exposure.
If you’re in a city, try to get away from bright streetlights. Even small reductions in light pollution make the sky look much clearer.
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Why This Event Is Worth Watching
Not every celestial event has to be dramatic to be meaningful. The Moon meeting Regulus is one of those quiet sky moments that many people overlook — but it has a charm of its own.
Here’s why it’s special:
It’s peaceful: A thin crescent Moon against the early-morning sky is one of the calmest sights in nature.
It’s simple: You don’t need any equipment or special knowledge. Just look up.
It’s a chance to reconnect: Watching the sky at dawn reminds us of the natural rhythm of the Earth and the cosmos.
It’s great for photography: The contrast of Moon + bright star + morning glow creates beautiful compositions.
For astronomy enthusiasts, it’s also interesting because Regulus is part of the zodiac — the band of stars and constellations the Moon and planets regularly move through. Events like this help you learn the sky better without effort.
Set your alarm a little early on November 13, 2025, step outside, and take a moment to enjoy this gentle celestial meeting. The Moon and Regulus don’t create fireworks or dramatic displays — but they offer something just as meaningful: a quiet, beautiful moment in the early light of morning.
If you capture a photo or have a great view, share it with others. These simple sky events are often the ones people appreciate the most.