Today:
Low in the east-northeast, tomorrow morning holds a curious view for early risers. A thin Crescent Moon will rise above the horizon at around 4:15 AM. Twenty minutes later, the planet Mercury will do the same, appearing just below the moon. Their best view comes from 5 to 5:15, with Mercury about a hand-width above a level horizon, fading in the growing twiight.
Thursday:
In this evening’s twilight, look to the west-southwest, and you’ll see a tall and nearly isosceles triangle. First dangling low on the horizon, and nearly due west, is Mars. Farther toward the southwest shines the bluish/white star Spica. Much higher in the west, and rounding out this alternative summer triangle, is Arcturus, the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere.
Friday:
The dark skies near the New Moon reveal the splendors of the Milky Way arched over the top of the sky. Directly overhead, notice there are lighter and darker patches of light within the star fields of the Milky Way. The stars are evenly distributed, but vast regions of dust and gas block some of their light, causing the differences.