Today:
One of the curious features in the Milky Way, arched high across the evening skies from the south to overhead, is found next to the star Deneb, the least bright star in the Summer Triangle. Look for a patch of dark sky, known as the Northern Coal Sack. It is not an absence of stars, but rather a thick cloud of gas and dust blocking the light from more distant stars.
Thursday:
The Andromeda Galaxy is the only distant galaxy we can see with our own eyes. In the next few nights look in the northeast, just below the Milky Way, and about one third of the way up from the horizon near 9:15 PM EDT. It appears as a small, oval smudge of light, enhanced by viewing through binoculars.
Friday:
By 10 PM you can look high in the southern sky to identify the summer triangle. Also high, but in the northwest you’ll find Draco, the Dragon. His two eyes sparkle as modestly bright stars, then his neck drops down to the right of the Little Dipper, while his body curves up and around, becoming a tail between the Dippers.