Gemini, the Twins, are standing on the horizon between west and northwest this evening, Castor on the right and Pollux on the left. It was near the feet of Castor, the name of the brother as well as the star, that in 1781 Sir William Herschel discovered a new planet – the one we now call Uranus.
Tuesday:
Low above the northern horizon near 10 o’clock this evening, can you make out the letter “W” formed by five medium-bright stars? This forms part of the throne of Cassiopeia, the Queen. To her upper right, still low, you might see a house-shaped pattern – a box with a triangle on top. This is the Queen’s husband, King Cepheus.
Wednesday:
Prowling the heavens high in the southwest this evening starting near 9:30 PM, you’ll find Leo, the Lion. Leo is one of the horoscope signs, its traditional dates of late July into the third week of August marking when the sun was against the background of these stars 3000 years ago. This now happens one month later.