Today is Independence Day, traditionally associated with picnics, parades, barbecues, concerts, family reunions and fireworks.
Tonight, enjoy the fireworks and then look at the sky around 10 p.m. when the fireworks should have concluded. Directly south at that time is Scorpius the Scorpion with bright red Antares at the heart of the Scorpion. Eight degrees to the left (east) of Antares is bright Jupiter. In the southeast, 22 degrees above the horizon, is Saturn. Jupiter is brighter than Saturn and has a white color, while Saturn is somewhat yellow-white.
Saturn is at opposition on Tuesday. It will be on the opposite side of the earth from the sun and fully illuminated by the sun. It will also be at its brightest. Even modest, low power telescopes will show Saturnβs magnificent rings and its bright moon Titan.
Tuesday night is a good night to also enjoy the first quarter moon, which sits in Virgo the Virgin. The moon will dim Virgo considerably, but you should be able to see Spica β the brightest star in Virgo and the 16th brightest star in the sky. Spica will be 7 degrees below the moon. Be sure to look for Spica on some other night when the moon is out of the way. Star colors are always subtle and take a bit of experience to appreciate. Spica is one of the bluest appearing stars in the sky, which is always fun to see.
