Today:
A large, waxing Gibbous Moon pays a visit to the bluish-white beacon Spica as they emerge from the twilight between 8:45 and 9:00 this evening. Starting in the south-southeast, they crest due south at 10:15, the settling lower in the southwest, setting near 3 o’clock. By tomorrow evening, the Moon’s orbit takes it to the left of Spica.
Monday:
On this date in 1910, the Earth passed through the tail of Halley’s Comet, an event that spawned any number of reactions, from taking “Comet Pills” to ward off the noxious vapors, to predictions of the end of the world. The dangers were greatly exaggerated, with no measurable effects.
Tuesday:
At 11 o’clock this evening, climbing into the east and northeast, a preview of coming summer attractions has returned to the skies. Bright, almost half way up in the skies, is Vega, while just rising in the east-northeast shines Altair. The third in this trio of stars, Deneb, is one quarter of the way above the northeast horizon.