Today:
Early risers tomorrow will find an even thinner Crescent Moon joining Venus, well to the left of the planetary beacon, but also just left of the returning collection of stars known as the Seven Sisters. They will be quite low at 3:45 AM, just as the first hints of dawn blush in the east, visible until 4 o’clock, or shortly after, when the stars fade in the brightening twilight.
Monday:
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.