Today:
Late this evening, the waning Gibbous Moon, one day from its Last Quarter, works its way above the east-northeast horizon in the company of Jupiter to its lower right, somewhat subdued by the Moon’s glare. You’ll find the pair one third of the way up, and due east, at midnight. Even more subdued by the Moon will be the star Pollux, otherwise the brighter “head” of the Gemini Twins, appearing just above and to the Moon’s left. The other “head,” Castor, appears a little farther above.
Monday:
The Big Dipper runs as low as it gets along the northern horizon. At 7:30 PM EST, the right edge of the “bowl” of the Dipper is exactly above north. Follow the line formed by these two stars, the “pointer stars”, and they will guide you up to the North Star, Polaris, located half way between the horizon and the zenith.
Tuesday:
The mid-winter stars rise earlier each evening, as the Earth makes its appointed journey around the Sun. By 9:30 PM, the familiar stars of Orion are in the east, and are joined by the bright star Procyon, just rising at 9:45 PM EST. This is the dominant star in the constellation Canis Minor, the Little Dog.