Tonight – August 24, 2015 – the moon can be found above the famous Stinger stars of Scorpius the Scorpion. These stars are called Shaula and Lesath.
As seen from mid-northern latitudes in North America, the Stinger stars loom close to the southern horizon at early evening, a good fist-width below tonight’s waxing gibbous moon. Depending on where you live worldwide, the moon’s position relative to the Scorpion’s Stinger stars varies somewhat.
If you live in Europe or Africa, the moon appears offset closer to Antares, Scorpius’ brightest star.
Asian viewers see the moon even more offset toward Antares.
Those residing in the Southern Hemisphere will see the moon, Antares and the Stinger stars high overhead, not close to the horizon.
When the moon drops out of the evening sky – toward the end of the first week in September – you can use these same Stinger stars to envision the constellation Scorpius, with its graceful curved tail. Plus, you’ll be able to plus star-hop to two beautiful deep-sky treasures: the star clusters M6 and M7.
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Your binoculars are perfect for finding M6 and M7, assuming you have a dark sky. They fit within a single binocular field of view. Image via starrynighteducation.com.
In the lore of the skies, the Scorpion’s stinger put Orion the Hunter to death.
According to another version of the tale, Orion was accidentally killed by his lover, Artemis. Ophiuchus, the constellation to the immediate north of Scorpius, is said to depict the doctor Ascelpius, who tried to bring Orion back to life. Yet Hades, the god of the Underworld, appealed to Zeus to forbid Ascelpius from raising the dead, for the practice goes against the natural order of things.
The constellation Scorpius is opposite in our sky to the constellation Orion, which is up before dawn now. See the three medium-bright stars at the center of the constellation Orion? Those three stars are Orion’s Belt, and they always point to Sirius, the Dog Star and sky’s brightest star.
Bottom line: On August 24, 2015, the moon is above the famous Stinger stars – Shaula and Lesath – of the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion.
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Tonight – August 24, 2015 – the moon can be found above the famous Stinger stars of Scorpius the Scorpion. These stars are called Shaula and Lesath.
As seen from mid-northern latitudes in North America, the Stinger stars loom close to the southern horizon at early evening, a good fist-width below tonight’s waxing gibbous moon. Depending on where you live worldwide, the moon’s position relative to the Scorpion’s Stinger stars varies somewhat.
If you live in Europe or Africa, the moon appears offset closer to Antares, Scorpius’ brightest star.
Asian viewers see the moon even more offset toward Antares.
Those residing in the Southern Hemisphere will see the moon, Antares and the Stinger stars high overhead, not close to the horizon.
When the moon drops out of the evening sky – toward the end of the first week in September – you can use these same Stinger stars to envision the constellation Scorpius, with its graceful curved tail. Plus, you’ll be able to plus star-hop to two beautiful deep-sky treasures: the star clusters M6 and M7.
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
Your binoculars are perfect for finding M6 and M7, assuming you have a dark sky. They fit within a single binocular field of view. Image via starrynighteducation.com.
In the lore of the skies, the Scorpion’s stinger put Orion the Hunter to death.
According to another version of the tale, Orion was accidentally killed by his lover, Artemis. Ophiuchus, the constellation to the immediate north of Scorpius, is said to depict the doctor Ascelpius, who tried to bring Orion back to life. Yet Hades, the god of the Underworld, appealed to Zeus to forbid Ascelpius from raising the dead, for the practice goes against the natural order of things.
The constellation Scorpius is opposite in our sky to the constellation Orion, which is up before dawn now. See the three medium-bright stars at the center of the constellation Orion? Those three stars are Orion’s Belt, and they always point to Sirius, the Dog Star and sky’s brightest star.
Bottom line: On August 24, 2015, the moon is above the famous Stinger stars – Shaula and Lesath – of the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
Donate: Your support means the world to us
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1PLEiZe
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