Mars is expected to align closely with the waxing crescent moon after sunset on July 28. The red planet will be visible as a bright point of light roughly four degrees above and to the right of the lunar surface, making it easily observable through binoculars.
Astronomers can also expect to spot the dark oval-shaped Mare Crisium, a 460-mile-wide basaltic plain on the moon’s northeastern region. This feature was formed by lava flows flooding an impact basin excavated by a 25-mile-wide asteroid collision approximately 4 billion years ago.
For those with larger telescopes, Mars will appear as a bright red star and allow observation of surface features. A telescope with an aperture of 4 inches or more can begin resolving Martian surface details, while an 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope provides clearer views of polar ice caps and dark regions.
When observing objects near the rising or setting sun, it’s crucial to ensure the parent star is below the horizon to avoid eye damage. To verify this, users can check sunset times for their location using websites like TimeandDate.com or in-the-sky.org.
Both Mars and the crescent moon will set roughly two hours after sunset on July 28. Stargazers can maximize their viewing time by securing a good viewing spot with a clear view of the western horizon.
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/see-mars-shine-close-to-the-waxing-crescent-moon-after-sunset-on-july-28