Planetary Spectacle: Mars and Regulus Illuminate the Night Sky

Tonight, stargazers can observe the Red Planet Mars shining above the blue star Regulus in the western skies shortly after sunset. To locate them, first spot the bright orb of Venus and then look just above and to the left of it to find Regulus. Mars will be just above the star, appearing as a steady orange light. Regulus, the brightest star in the Leo constellation, is actually part of a quadruple star system and rotates much faster than most stars.