A rare alignment of Mars and the bright blue star Regulus is set to occur over three successive nights, starting from Monday, June 16. The two celestial bodies will appear just 0.7 degrees apart, making it one of the closest conjunctions in recent history.
Mars and Regulus will shine with a combined magnitude of 1.4, with Regulus being the 21st brightest star in the night sky. Although they differ in color, Regulus emits a blue-white light due to its hotter and younger age compared to the sun.
The best time to observe this event is just after twilight fades, when both stars become visible. Binoculars or a telescope will be required to appreciate the contrast between their colors.
This alignment is a rare opportunity for astronomers to witness the difference in color between Mars and Regulus. Similar events can also be observed by pointing at the blue and red Albireo double star or the Jewel Box Cluster, both located in different constellations.
However, amidst this celestial event, controversy surrounds NASA’s budget plan. A proposed Trump Administration cut of $6 billion could impact the agency’s focus on landing astronauts on Mars before China. The Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for 2027, is set to utilize a SpaceX Starship rocket but may be affected by the row between Donald Trump and Elon Musk over funding allocations.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/06/14/red-meets-blue-dont-miss-the-rare-mars-regulus-kiss-this-week