The waxing gibbous moon will shine close to the bright star Spica in the night sky tonight, ahead of its full moon phase on June 11.
Skywatchers in the U.S. will find the moon above the southwestern horizon an hour after sunset on June 5, with Spica twinkling a little over seven degrees to the left of the lunar disk. Remember, you can estimate distances in the night sky by holding an outstretched hand — or fist — in front of you. The width of your clenched first from your thumb to the other side of your hand is about 10 degrees, while the thickness of your little finger accounts for around 1 degree in the night sky.
