Today:
Low in the southwest this evening, a waxing Crescent Moon hangs low over the southwest horizon, while a modestly bright star appears well to its right, with the curious name Zubenelgenubi, which means “southern claw” in Arabic. Above it shines Zubeneschamali, the “northern claw”. Claws of what? The Scorpion, well to their left, and its bright red star, Antares.
Wednesday:
The growing Crescent Moon slides east from its location last evening, and appears to the right of a bright, orange-red star, Antares. Look for them to emerge from the twilight by 7:30, low in the south-southwest, and slipping lower through the evening, and setting by 9:15 in the southwest.
Thursday:
Tomorrow morning, Mercury reaches its Greatest Western Elongation, a description of its maximum separation from the Sun as seen from the Earth, rising just after 5 o’clock, with its best views from 5:30 to 6 o’clock. Mercury is moving away from us, as its orbit curves it back toward the Sun, passing behind the Sun on October 20th.