The waxing gibbous moon will shine close to the bright star Spica in the night sky tonight, ahead of its full moon phase on June 11.

Trundling along the ecliptic plane in Virgo, our satellite hangs near the bright star Spica in the evening sky.

You can find Spica by first looking up high in the north at the Big Dipper. Follow the arc of the Dipper’s “handle” in a long curve first to the star Arcturus, and then to Spica.

A waning crescent moon will creep closer and closer to Spica until the star's light is extinguished in the blink of an eye on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Above Spica, the "star" farthest from the moon and shining sedately with a yellow-white hue is — you guessed it — Saturn. It shines just a bit brighter than Spica.

Astro Bob: See Spica's spectacular reappearance On Wednesday morning, Nov. 27, the crescent moon covers the bright star Spica, then dramatically returns it to view.

Also above the moon — but more to the north — you’ll spot a bright, yellow-orange star named Arcturus.

This is the second time this year viewers in parts of North America have been able to witness the moon occult Spica, with the first time in July.

The First Quarter Moon covers the bright star Spica while Mars and Uranus have a close conjunction in the sky this week.

The waxing gibbous moon will shine close to the bright star Spica in the night sky tonight, ahead of its full moon phase on June 11. Skywatchers in the U.S. will find the moon above the ...