Today:
The Moon is just past its First Quarter as it nuzzles up close to the reddish star Antares, the “heart” of the Scorpion, low in the south-southwest as twilight gives way to darkness from 8:45 to 9 o’clock. The pair slide lower into the southwest, setting after 11:00 PM.
Wednesday:
In the pre-dawn skies, an early cup of coffee will be rewarded with a stunning view of the planets Jupiter and Mars, nearly half-way up in the east from 4 to 5 AM. Jupiter easily outshines Mars, so there will be no mistaking it, just below the reddish Mars, about 16 times less bright than our largest planet. The two slowly ease apart, Mars progressing to the left, through the rest of the month.
Thursday:
By 10:00 PM, and almost directly overhead, shines the bright star Vega. Vega, which not only serves one corner of the Summer Triangle, but is also the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, the Lyre. This belongs to the god of music, Orpheus, in Greek Mythology.