Today:
The bright star Arcturus, lowering into the western skies, shines about 50 percent brighter than the planet Saturn, gradually edging higher into the east-southeast. You may or may not notice this difference, but you are more likely to see that Arcturus sparkles and twinkles, while Saturn shines steady. Our atmosphere creates the effect, with little effect on planets because their beam of light, not necessarily brighter, is larger in diameter.
Friday:
A brightening Gibbous Moon in the south renders the fainter constellations more of a challenge. Instead, look low in the northeast by 8 o’clock, where one of the great stars of the heavens edges higher into the north and northeast. Capella is among the brightest stars, but its position in the northern skies keeps it in view every night, briefly near the northern horizon.
Saturday:
Autumn has not yet discouraged the Summer Triangle, just given us a different view. Seen crossing overhead near midnight in the summer, it now appears overhead in the evening. Look for the faintest of the three stars, Deneb, close to the zenith this evening, while Altair shines in the southwest, and the bluish-white Vega gleams sharply, high in the west.