The ringed-planet Saturn rises late in the evening.  On Sunday night, the planet is accompanied by the gibbous moon. Both rise in the east at about 11 p.m., and are in the zodiacal constellation Libra.

Early Tuesday morning, two days later, the last quarter moon appears low in the southeastern sky. The moon rises after midnight and is in the zodiacal constellation Scorpius, a constellation we more often associate with summer.

Spring is Coming

For those who have tired of the stars of winter, there is spring in the sky. Many of the stars we associate with spring are rising in the east.

The constellations Leo, the lion, Bootes, the shephard and Virgo, the goddess are slipping into our evening sky. You can observe them rising in the east after 10 p.m.

Bootes, has a bright orange star, called Arcturus. Virgo has a brilliant blueish white star called Spica.

The Big Dipper, which we can watch all year round, is standing on its handle in the northeast. The handle of the dipper points to Arcturus. If you can find the Big Dipper now, you can also see Arcturus. But look after 11 p.m. Later in the evening, the Big Dipper appears overhead.

Orion, the hunter, hangs in the western sky. Taurus, the bull, appears is also in the west. It won’t belong before they slip away, with the change of season.