A spectacular celestial event is expected to unfold on June 9, as the waxing gibbous moon passes close to the red supergiant star Antares in the constellation Scorpius. Located 400 light-years from Earth, Antares will shine brightly around 4 degrees to the lower left of the lunar disk.
For stargazers in the US, the moon will rise higher over the southeastern horizon after sunset on June 9, with Antares shining prominently nearby. In southern hemisphere countries, including Australia and Papua New Guinea, viewers can witness an “occultation” as the moon slides directly in front of Antares at 4:47 a.m. EDT (0847 GMT).
As the night progresses, the lunar disk will appear to close in on Antares, with the red star eventually setting above the moon’s upper left shoulder. This event marks a rare opportunity for stargazers to capture images of the moon and Antares.
To make the most of this celestial spectacle, Space.com recommends checking out our guides on how to photograph the moon and exploring the best telescopes and binoculars for night sky viewing. Don’t miss your chance to witness this extraordinary event!
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/see-the-moon-shine-with-famous-red-star-antares-in-the-southern-sky-on-june-9