Today:
This evening, the Moon rises in the east-northeast, nested between the Gemini Twins, where the moon forms a triangle with the “twin” stars Castor and Pollux, which appear to Moon’s left, struggling in the moonlight’s glow. Respectively, these stars mark the heads of the Twins, and give them their names.
Tuesday:
Just below the wide waning Gibbous Moon, Mars shines as best it can through the Moon’s glow, while just above the moon appears the star Pollux, of the constellation Gemini. Farther to right of the moon, and a little bit below, shines the star Procyon, the brightest star within the surprisingly non-canine-looking constellation Canis Minor, the Little Dog.
Wednesday:
Before the waning Gibbous Moon takes to the skies this evening, notice Orion climbing into the east and southeast, his three bright belt stars nearly vertical. It always reminds me of Robert Frost’s poetic description of Orion, who “always comes up sideways. Throwing a leg up over our fence of mountains. And rising on his hands, he looks in on me.