Today:
At 10:15 this evening, the Scorpion’s tail is due south, extremely low above the horizon, yet even so, at its best viewing of the year. As the tail curls up to the left, the star on the end is called Shaula, from the Arabic meaning either “stinger” or “raised”, as in poised to sting.
Wednesday:
Look high in the northwest, as the sun sets. Again as if hanging by its handle, the Big Dipper hangs in the sky. Focus on the arcing shape of the Big Dipper’s handle. Now imagine a continuation of it, and that longer arc will lead you to the star Arcturus, hence the phrase “arc to Arcturus.”
Thursday:
Tonight’s New Moon means there’s no moonlight in the south to sully the view of the red star Antares, the star appearing about a third of the way up in the south, by 9:30. If you look much higher and to the southwest, Arcturus appears; also much higher and to the southeast, appears the bright and bluish-white star, Vega.