Today:
With Summer now officially underway, look for Leo the Lion, lowering into the west as he takes his curtain call for the season. His bright star, Regulus, due west at 10 o’clock, was associated with the Summer Solstice over 5000 years ago, when the Sun passed right over the star. This has changed as the Earth’s axis very slowly pivots.
Tuesday:
Today is St. John’s Day – Midsummer’s Day in ancient traditions. One of the features of the summer skies is a trio of bright stars known as the Summer Triangle. Look in the east after 10 o’clock, where the brightest and highest of the three stars, Vega, is shining. Nearest the horizon is Altair, while the third star is found to the left, known as Deneb.
Wednesday:
The next ten days feature a challenge for planet gazers in the western skies. You’ll need a low, level view to the west-northwest where, close to 9:30 each evening through the 4th of July, the reluctant planet Mercury manages to shine as a spark of light within the twilight, only one hand-width above the ideal horizon. Our late evenings, and Mercury’s orbit keeps it there through early July, including an encounter with the Moon tomorrow evening.