ohIn these cold winter mornings, it can often take a lot of effort or the promise of something good to drag us out of bed. On November 27, nature will provide a beautiful sight that will reward the early risers: a beautiful thin waning crescent moon will sit next to the bright star of Spica.
Spica is the 16th brightest star in the entire night sky and the brightest star in its constellation Virgo, the virgin. The moon will have only 14% of its visible surface illuminated, and Spica will shine a brilliant white light.
The moon will be almost 26 days into its lunar month, and will only be visible for a day or so before disappearing into the sun’s glare to be reborn as a new moon a day or so later.
The chart shows the view looking south-east from London at 0600 GMT on 27 November. Morning twilight will be another hour away, with the sun finally rising at 0738 GMT.
From Sydney, Australia, the best view occurs around 0400 AEDT on November 28. The moon and Spica will briefly appear above the eastern horizon before the penetrating daylight washes them out of the sky.
