Today:
Orion is now very low in the western skies, by the end of twilight, his feet along the horizon by 9:00 PM, with his belt only visible with a perfect view to the west and southwest. Orion’s stars are among the brightest in the sky because they are part of our neighborhood in the Milky Way Galaxy. Our Sun, along with many of Orion’s stars, are among millions in a minor band of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy called the Orion Spur.
Tuesday:
As the bright winter stars of Orion retire in the west, two lonely bright stars rise toward their summer prominence in the skies in the east. Looking high in the northeast to find the Big Dipper, and follow the “arc” of its handle lower and to the right, locating the star Arcturus. Then continue the line farther right, where you can “spy” the star Spica, a blue-white beauty.
Wednesday:
April 2nd was the last time the Moon had a close encounter with Spica. At that time the Moon was barely Past full. This time the Moon is nearly full, set to be full again on May 1st. This evening, it won’t be until around 8:30 that the twilight will dim to the point where Spica will become visible. By that time, you can find the Moon about a quarter of the way up in the southeast, the bluish Spica just below the Moon, and to its left.