Today:
Between 7:30 and 8 PM, look about halfway up in the northeastern sky. In the left hand of the constellation Perseus shines the binary star Algol. Between 7:14 and 9:14 PM, Algol reaches its minimum brightness, when the fainter of its 2 stars eclipses the brighter star.
Tuesday:
Tomorrow morning, early risers can see the Moon pass in front of the bright star Spica, temporarily obscuring it. This occultation starts at 5:40 AM, lasting slightly more than one hour. However, the Moon’s progression finally makes it past Spica at 6:50, when the twilight will make the star difficult to see. A pair of binoculars should help. Look toward the top edge of the Moon for the star’s reappearance.
Wednesday:
The planet Mars will again rise within the constellation Cancer this evening at around 9:30. Mars has been getting brighter and brighter this month, en route to its opposition from the sun on January 16th, when Mars will reach its maximum brightness.