Today:
Just as the clocks chime midnight, the waning Crescent Moon rises in the Last Quarter Moon rises just below one of the brighter stars we see, Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, the Virgin. The pair edge up to one quarter of the way above the southeast horizon by 2:30 AM, cresting due south, one third of the way up at 5:15 AM.
Tuesday:
Take a look below the feet of Orion, where a relative unknown constellation appears – Lepus, the Hare. At 9:15 PM, when Orion and the Hare are due south, look below Orion’s feet for the face of Lepus, looking to the left, with faint, tallish ears above him. Directly left of Lepus sparkles Sirius, the Dog Star. He appears to chase this hare across the southern skies.
Wednesday:
Orion continues to “stand tall”, high in the south at 9 o’clock this evening. Looking below his characteristic belt of three stars, you’ll find a star-like patch of light, suggesting a sword or scabbard. Rather than a star, this is the Great Orion Nebula – a glowing area of gases, and a nursery for new stars.