Today:
Tonight comes the expected peak of the Lyrid Meteor Shower. Look to the northeast around 10 PM. To the right of the bright star Vega, the Lyrids will be concentrated between the constellations Lyra and Hercules, and will lift high in the eastern sky. An average of 10 to 20 “shooting stars” is best viewed after midnight, especially once the wide Crescent Moon sets by 1:30 AM.
Wednesday:
Tonight the Moon will have a very close encounter with our largest planetary neighbor, Jupiter. In the fading twilight at around 8:45 this evening, a wide, waxing Crescent Moon will appear two-thirds of the way up in the southwest. Hovering barely below the Moon, by a mere 3 degrees, will shine Jupiter. The two will drop a little lower and be nearly due west by 10:15 PM.
Thursday:
The First Quarter Moon starts its monthly appearance high in the south at 7:00 PM, while a little daylight lingers. Two hours later the Moon has shifted slightly lower into the southwest. In the last hint of dusk, stars and planets have appeared, showing the Moon to have shifted to the left of Jupiter, its companion last evening.