Today:
When Columbus landed in the Bahamas on this date in 1492, he used the North Star to determine his location. However, he mistakenly used the star Alderamin in Cepheus, and thought he landed near what is now Boston. Either tropical breezes, or an able assistant, helped him to correct his error.
Monday:
Ursa Major, better known as the Great Bear, is settling very low along the northern horizon during the evenings, before rising back into the north-northeast after 10 o’clock. Best known here something contained within the Bear, that being the asterism called the Big Dipper, with the “bowl” of the Dipper part of the Bear’s body, and the “handle” his long, bushy tail.
Tuesday:
As it emerges from the sun’s glare at around 7 PM, Saturn maintains its current role as the only planet visible in the evening sky. It will rise in the southeast, surrounded by the constellations Cetus, Pisces, and Aquarius. The viewing of other planets will have to wait until Jupiter rises in the east-northeast just after midnight, and until Venus rises in the East just before 6:00 AM.