Early on the morning of 11 February, the waning moon passes close to Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius.
Antares is a red supergiant star about 550 light years away. From the UK, it never climbs far above the horizon, so it always feels like an achievement to glimpse it, especially when it is joined by the contrasting silver light of the moon.
The chart shows the view looking south-south-east from London on the morning of 11 February at 06.00 GMT.
The moon will be a thin waning crescent, about three days from new, with 34% of its visible surface illuminated. It will rise shortly after Antares, and the two will be separated by just a few degrees. Start watching from about 05.30 GMT and stop before the sun rises at 07.21 GMT, although the dawn will have chased Antares from the sky long before then.
An unobstructed view of the south-eastern horizon will be essential because the pair will rise a few degrees above the horizon before the daylight catches up with them. Because of the low altitude, atmospheric haze may reduce Antares’ brilliance but the moon’s crescent will be visible to the naked eye, guiding you to the correct spot in the sky.
