Today:
Before the Moon rises later this eveng, take a look below the feet of Orion, where a relative unknown constellation appears – Lepus, the Hare. At 9:00 PM this evening, when Orion and the Hare are due south, look below Orion’s feet for the face of Lepus, looking to the left, with faint, tallish ears above him.
Tuesday:
Orion continues to “stand tall”, high in the south at 9 o’clock this evening. Looking below his characteristic belt of three stars, you’ll find a star-like patch of light, suggesting a sword or scabbard. Rather than a star, this is the Great Orion Nebula – a glowing area of gases, and a nursery for new stars.
Wednesday:
Near 11:15 PM this evening, a waning Gibbous Moon lifts into the east-southeast in the company of the steely-blue star Spica, their second encounter this month. They’ll be a bit higher as February arrives at midnight, continuing into the southeast by 2:00 AM, and due south at 4:30 AM. They’re still eye-catching as twilight begins after 6 o’clock.