Today:
In late fall, one of the Big Dipper’s tricks becomes problematic. By visualizing the arcing stars in the Dipper’s handle, and extending that arc outward, the maxim says you can “arc to Arcturus.” But evenings now have the Dipper very low in the north, and Arcturus so low that you can’t do this until Arcturus rises in the east-northeast, after 3 AM.
Saturday:
Low in the north once the sun sets, the Big Dipper can be expanded to form the constellation Ursa Major, or the Big Bear. The Dipper constitutes the Bear’s hind quarters and tail, while expanding to the right forms the chest, head and front legs. The first handle star in the Dipper, or the first tail star in the bear, is called Alioth, the brightest in the constellation, but only the 33rd brightest in sky.
Sunday:
At sunset, the Crescent Moon will appear, nearly due south. The Moon is within the handle of the Teapot in Sagittarius, just barely visible above the southwest horizong by 5:30 PM. Sagittarius is finishing its annual display, settling below the horizon, just as the Moon does, by 6:30 PM this evening.