Today:
The steely blue star rising in the north-northeast, low but due northeast at 10:20 PM, is Vega, from the German “Wega”, and from the Arabic “Al Wika”, the “swooping or diving eagle”. In modern times it is the brightest star in Lyra, the Lyre, a harp-like instrument, home to the meteor showers over the next few nights.
Wednesday:
This evening at 9 o’clock, looking due south and just slightly to the left, you see the brightest star in Leo, the Lion. Regulus reigns above a large but much less prominent constellation, that of the Water Snake, named Hydra. The snake’s head appears as a collection of stars half-way between Regulus, and Procyon, midway up in the southwest. The snake’s body curves back and forth to the lower left.
Thursday:
The waxing crescent moon follows the setting sun toward the evening horizon, starting about one third of the way above the west, just after 8 o’clock, but remains visible until it sets about 11:30 PM. Flanking our celestial neighbor you’ll see the reddish star Aldebaran, the brightest start in Taurus to its left, and by the Pleiades to its lower right.