Today:
July is the time to say good-bye to the classic constellation Leo, the Lion. The bright star on Leo’s shoulder, Regulus, is emerging in the west-northwest at around 9:30 PM EDT, settling lower as the twilight blackens by 10 o’clock. Leo continues to settle lower each evening, and by late in the month, drops below the horizon.
Wednesday:
Once the sky starts to fully darken, at around 9:35 PM, look two thirds up in the west-southwest, to find the pale-orange Arcturus. It’s the brightest star visible from our northern latitude, during the summertime absence of Sirius. Toward the northeast from there, you might discern something resembling a necktie in the sky. This is also reckoned as the body of Bootes, The Herdsman.
Thursday:
The Milky Way arches high across the eastern skies in the evening, extending down to the north, where it appears dimmer, and toward the south, glowing noticeably brighter, home to the center of our Galaxy. The Milky Way swings overhead through the course of the night.