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after sunset, heading for an exciting planetary trio with Mercury later this month. The moon is now sweeping across the evening sky from night to night, heading for the star Spica and then the ringed planet Saturn later this month.
• Moon and Regulus on May 17. Regulus is the closest bright star to the moon on May 17. The precise time for tonight's first quarter moon is 11:34 p.m. Central Daylight Time. In other words, that is when the moon reaches the exact first quarter phase when it appears half illuminated in the sky visible from Earth. A first quarter moon always sets around midnight, giving you plenty of time to catch the moon and Regulus tonight.
• If you look carefully, you might make out a backwards question mark pattern in the stars around Regulus. This asterism (or recognizable pattern within a constellation) is called the Sickle in Leo. The moon moves eastward in front of the constellations of the Zodiac from night to night. Once it has moved onward away from Leo, you can always use the bowl of the Big Dipper to find your way to Regulus.
• Regulus is considered to be the most important of the four Royal Stars of ancient Persia. These Royal Stars mark the four quadrants of the heavens. They are Regulus, Antares, Fomalhaut, and Aldebaran.
• Four to five thousand years ago, the Royal Stars defined the approximate positions of equinoxes and solstices in the sky. Regulus reigned as the summer solstice star, Antares as the autumn equinox star, Fomalhaut as the winter solstice star, and Aldebaran as the spring equinox star. Regulus is often portrayed as the most significant Royal Star, possibly because it symbolized the height and glory of the summer (Continued on page 15)
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