NASA Reveals Spectacular Image of Mars with Beehive Cluster on 10 June 2023
Skywatchers are in for a treat this June as Mars and Venus will be seen moving closer to each other in the western sky after sunset. The stunning blue-white star, Regulus, which is the center of the Leo constellation, will also be visible nearby. Additionally, from June 20th to 22nd, the crescent Moon will pass through this area, creating a breathtaking view at dusk on June 21st.
Today’s NASA Astronomical Image is a stunning image of the red planet Mars near the stars of the Messier 44 open star cluster. This month, Mars and Venus are also visible in the evening sky of planet Earth as heavenly guests. After sunset, these two celestial bodies shine brightly in the western sky.
And now that Mars is traveling in the constellation of Cancer the Crab, star photographer Rolando Ligustri captured the scene on June 3rd.
With a yellowish hue, Mars is about 17 light minutes away. On June 12 or 13, it will be Venus’ turn to be closer to the Beehive cluster, NASA explained. However, the brightness of Venus’ light can make observing a group of individual stars challenging without the help of other instruments.
NASA’s explanation of the swarm of bees
The Bumblebee, a remarkable collection of stars, lies just 600 light-years away. Its stars are significantly younger than our Sun, NASA explained. The open cluster M44, located in the constellation Cancer, stretches across about 15 light years of space. There are about 1000 stars in its area. Viewed in the night sky, M44 appears to cover an area equivalent to about three full moons, with a longitude of about 1.5 degrees.
