Today:
Lowering into the west-northwest this evening, the pale orange star Arcturus, sets near 8:15 PM EDT. However, our second brightest star is not done. Early tomorrow morning, Arcturus climbs back into the east-northeast starting at 5:25, though much easier to find one hour later.
Thursday:
Capella, the fourth brightest star in the northern skies, appears low in the north-northeast by 7:00 PM, climbing to one quarter of the way up, in the northeast, by 9 o’clock. The waxing Gibbous Moon in the southern skies might subdue the dimmer stars, but Capella should find no difficulty in remaining visible despite the glow of moonlight.
Friday:
The Moon reaches Full tomorrow night, the Full “Hunter’s” Moon, though it rides across the skies over the next few nights. Its name implies the hunting that is done in the fall to provide food through the winter. It is also known as the Kindly Moon in Chinese lore, and the Moon “when quilling and beading are done” by the Lakota Sioux.