Today:
A narrow window from the end of twilight to the rising of the Moon, from 6 to 7 o’clock this evening, offers a splendid view of the Milky Way arching up in the southeast, littered with the bright stars of Orion on the right, and the Twins of Gemini, the Little Dog star Procyon, and the Great Dog star Sirius on the left.
Wednesday:
In the early evening, before the Moon rises at 8:35, four brilliant stars form a diamond-shaped figure halfway up in the south-southeast early this evening. At the bottom is Sirius, the very brightest star, while the orange-hued Betelgeuse shines at the top. The bluish-white Rigel sparkles on the right, with Procyon on the left.
Thursday:
Due south this evening at 9:30 PM is the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, the “nose” of Canis Major, the Great Dog. The path of all stars and planets creates an arc, with its highest point due south, placing Sirius in its best viewing position. The name Sirius comes from the Arabic word meaning “blazing one”.