Today:
In the early evening, before the Moon rises at 8:35, four brilliant stars form a diamond-shaped figure halfway up in the south-southeast early this evening. At the bottom is Sirius, the very brightest star, while the orange-hued Betelgeuse shines at the top. The bluish-white Rigel sparkles on the right, with Procyon on the left.
Thursday:
Due south this evening at 9:30 PM is the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, the “nose” of Canis Major, the Great Dog. The path of all stars and planets creates an arc, with its highest point due south, placing Sirius in its best viewing position. The name Sirius comes from the Arabic word meaning “blazing one”.
Friday:
Shortly before 11 PM, the waning gibbous Moon will rise arm in arm with Spica, the brightest star of the constellation Virgo. They will break to horizon in the east-southeast, with the bluish-white Spica just to the Moon’s left. If you’ll be up very late, you can follow this conjunction across the southern sky by 4 AM. The predawn twilight will bleach out the Moon’s companion, but the Moon will remain visible until it sets at around 9:20 tomorrow morning.