Today:
The Big Dipper, found dangling by its handle in the northwest, is known by a number of other names. In England, as well as parts of eastern Europe, it is called the Plough, lowering into the north each fall to till in the crops, as well as a cart or wagon wheeling around the northern sky.
Monday:
Tonight’s New Moon means there’s no moonlight in the south to sully the view of the red star Antares, the star appearing about a third of the way up in the south, by 9:30. If you look much higher and to the southwest, Arcturus appears; also much higher and to the southeast, appears the bright and bluish-white star, Vega.
Tuesday:
July is the time to say good-bye to the classic constellation Leo, the Lion. The bright star on Leo’s shoulder, Regulus, is emerging in the west-northwest at around 9:30 PM EDT, settling lower as the twilight blackens by 10 o’clock. Leo continues to settle lower each evening, and by late in the month, drops below the horizon.