• Look westward for the moon as soon as darkness falls, and watch for the planets Mars and Saturn to fall in line shortly thereafter. The moon helps beginning sky watchers to identify Mars and Saturn this evening.
• As seen from the Northern Hemisphere, the moon is found in the west to southwest sky. As seen from the south of the equator, the moon appears more in the west to northwest. Either way, the moon more or less lines up with the planets Mars and Saturn.
• At mid-northern latitudes - like in the US and Europe - the line-up of the moon

and planets slants downward from left to right, with Saturn at top and the moon at bottom. But as seen from tropical latitudes, the line-up appears more vertical. At temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand) the line-up descends from right to left. But no matter. Saturn resides at top and the moon at bottom.
• Look first for the waxing crescent moon and then for Saturn at top and Mars in between. That other point of light off line and near Saturn is Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. If you look closely, you may see Spica sparkling in a blue-white color while Saturn glows golden and Mars betrays its ruddy complexion.
• After the sun sets on July 23, look for the colorful menagerie - the moon, Mars, Saturn and Spica - to adorn the western evening sky.
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