Sunrise Sunset

Fri., June 22 5:07 8:19

Sat., June 23 5:07 8:19

Sun., June 24 5:07 8:19

Mon., June 25 5:08 8:20

Tues., June 26 5:08 8:20

Wed., June 27 5:08 8:20

Thurs., June 28 5:09 8:20

Fri., June 29 5:09 8:20

On Monday night, the first quarter moon appears high in the west and close to the bright red planet Mars. The two are on the western end of the large zodiacal constellation Virgo. On Wednesday night, two nights later, the moon advances to the eastern end of Virgo and appears near the bright yellow planet Saturn and the brilliant blueish star Spica.

Spica, Saturn and the moon form an elongated triangle.

The first day of summer was Wednesday, and now it is time to look for the Summer Triangle rising in the east. Three of the brightest stars rising in the east— Vega, Deneb and Altair—constitute the Summer Triangle. Vega, the brightest, is in the constellation Lyra, a small collection of stars depicting a harp. Deneb is the principal star in the Northern Cross, also called Cygnus, the Swan. The third bright star is Altair, which is the principal star in the constellation Aquila, the bird.

First-time stargazers may not be able to pick out the three constellations, Lyra, Cygnus and Aquila, but the three brightest stars in the east, Vega, Deneb and Altair, are easy. Take a look at about 10 p.m. or later. By midnight, the big three are almost, overhead, near our zenith.

M.A.L.