Annual conjunction of Sun and Regulus observed in Jeddah sky

The annual conjunction of the Sun and the bright star Regulus was observed today in the sky over Jeddah, as the star appeared to approach the Sun and align closely along the same celestial longitude. This alignment caused Regulus to be completely hidden by the Sun’s glare, making it invisible from Earth.

Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, explained that Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo and lies near the ecliptic, allowing the Moon, planets, and Sun to pass close to it in recurring celestial conjunctions. The star is located about 79 light-years from Earth and is a multiple star system, led by a blue-white star that is hotter than the Sun.

Abu Zahra noted that this conjunction marks Regulus’s transition from the evening sky to the dawn sky. The star will begin to reappear low above the eastern horizon before sunrise in early September, gradually moving away from the Sun’s glare.

Regulus between dawn and spring seasons

He added that the Sun appears to move eastward along the ecliptic at a rate of about one degree per day, increasing the angular distance between it and Regulus over time. By the autumnal equinox in September, Regulus becomes easier to observe in the dawn sky.

Additionally, after about six months, Regulus returns to the evening sky, becoming one of the most prominent stars of the spring season in the northern hemisphere. It appears high in the night sky and, together with other spring stars, forms one of the most notable seasonal celestial landmarks.