The constellations Orion and Canis Major have migrated from the east to the south, and now appear high in the southern predawn sky. The constellation Leo with the bright star Regulus rise in the eastern predawn sky. Ursa Major (with the Big Dipper asterism) and Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper) appear in the northern predawn sky. Mars and Saturn continue to be excellent viewing targets in the southern sky after sunset – this week the Moon will not be present to wash them out. Jupiter appears in the southwestern sky at dusk, and sets at 8:36 PM. Observing Target: Mizar and Alcor Mizar and Alcor are a naked-eye double star in the handle of the “Big Dipper” (in Ursa Major). In a small telescope, Mizar and Alcor can easily be “split” or resolved into individual stars: Mizar is actually quadruple star system, with two sets of double stars orbiting around their common center of gravity – also known as their barycenter. … Continue reading →