Starwatch: silver moonlight in contrast with blood red Antares

The moon at first quarter will pass Antares, the heart of the scorpion, a red giant with an explosive future

This week, the moon will coast past the blood-red northern summer star of Antares in the constellation of Scorpius, the scorpion. The chart shows the view looking south-south-west from London on 25 August at 21:00 BST. The moon and Antares will be low in the sky, but the white brilliance of the moon and the deep red of Antares will make a pleasing contrast to each other. The moon will be at its first quarter phase, with 51% of its surface illuminated. A week from now, it will be full moon.