The nearly 20-day-old moon rises at 11:42 tonight. It's in a waning gibbous (more than half-lit) phase. At last quarter on Sunday, the moon will be exactly half-lit. From then on, it becomes a waning crescent moon until next new moon on July 11.
Take advantage of the darkening sky after sunset - 7:34 tonight - to enjoy a magnificent 70-degree sweep of planets and bright stars running from west-northwest to southwest.
At 9 p.m., look toward the western horizon to find ever-brilliant Venus located somewhat north of west. To the left (south) of Venus and slightly higher above the western horizon will be Regulus at the heart of Leo the Lion.
Regulus is 79 light-years away and 150 times brighter than the sun in visible light. Regulus is actually a quadruple (four-star) system. The main star is spinning so fast on its axis that its poles are somewhat flattened, with the star looking like an egg lying on its side.
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The system of stars composing Regulus provides plenty of research material, indeed, for stellar astrophysicists.
Higher above the horizon and farther to the left (south) of Regulus is fiery-red Mars, which is currently bright and distinctive. More to the south and higher above the western horizon is Saturn, which has a recognizable yellow-white color.
We're not done yet.
To the left (south) of Saturn and even higher (40 degrees) above the southwestern horizon will be Spica. On a good night with clear sky, no light pollution and no dust in the atmosphere, Spica to me is one of the bluest stars in the sky.
Make sure you look west tonight. It would be an astronomical misdemeanor to miss this fine lineup.
Tim Hunter has been an amateur astronomer since grade school. E-mail him at skyspy@azstarnet.com