Today:
If you look straight up at 9:45 PM this evening, within the gossamer light of the Milky Way shines the star Deneb, the least bright of the trio of stars forming the Summer Triangle. In spite of its comparative brightness, it actually reigns as a stellar powerhouse, emitting 200 thousand times more light than the Sun!
Thursday:
A challenge awaits low in the west-southwest this evening – a pairing of the normally brilliant planet Venus, and a very slender waxing Crescent Moon. Venus actually shines quite bright, however the surrounding twilight subdues its appearance. The Moon looks on, well left of Venus, during a short window from 7:30 to 7:45 PM.
Friday:
Low in the southwest this evening, a waxing Crescent Moon hangs low over the southwest horizon from 7:45 through 8 o’clock, 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.