Earthsky Tonight — March 8, 2010: The Summer Triangle, a signpost for all seasons
As seen from our northern temperate latitudes, the three brilliant stars of the Summer Triangle – Vega, Deneb and Altair – are out for at least part of the night…
Earthsky Tonight — March 7, 2010: Predawn moon points out Scorpion’s Stinger
On the morning of March 8 (Monday), the rather wide waning crescent moon helps you to locate the two stars in the tail of the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. These…
Earthsky Tonight — March 6, 2010: Last quarter moon near red star Antares
If you are an early riser, look out a south-facing window on the morning of March 7 (Sunday) to see a lovely last quarter moon in front of the constellation…
Earthsky Tonight — March 5, 2010: Star Arcturus is a harbinger of spring
The gloriously bright star Arcturus rises into your east northeastern sky around 9 p.m. tonight. This yellow-orange beauty – like any brilliant star – sparkles wildly when it hovers near…
Earthsky Tonight — March 4, 2010: Recognize the Big Dipper … and Little Dipper
How can I locate both Ursa Minor and Ursa Major? I am seeing one of them in the sky . . . but cannot tell which one and where the…
Earthsky Tonight — March 3, 2010: Use the Big Dipper to locate Polaris
At one time, sailors’ livelihoods and survival depended on their lucky stars – most especially, the pointer stars of the Big Dipper. Drawing a line through the two outer stars…
Earthsky Tonight — March 2, 2010: Moon still near Saturn, closer to Spica on March 2
Last night, the moon was close to the planet Saturn on the sky’s dome. Tonight, the moon will pair up with Spica, the constellation Virgo’s brightest star.