Today:
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.
Monday:
By 5:45 PM, and high in the southwest flies Aquila, The Eagle, its feathers and quills headed up by its brightest and highest star, Altair. Even higher, slightly toward the west but nearly overhead, it another feathered friend, Cygnus, The Swan; it’s head is marked by its own bright star, Deneb.