Sunday,  January 6, 2013 • Vol. 13--No. 171 • 21 of 45 •  Other Editions

Moon and Saturn light up Libra before dawn January 7

• If you're up and about before dawn on Monday, January 7, you can see the moon and the planet Saturn shining in front of the constellation Libra the Scales. It'll be more of a challenge to spot Libra's fairly faint alpha star, Zubenelgenubi. Unlike Saturn, this star

doesn't shine at first-magnitude brightness, but it's bright enough to see with the unaided eye in a moderately dark sky.
• But there is a beautiful ruddy, first-magnitude star returning to the morning sky right now. It's name is Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scoprion.
• The perspective of tomorrow's early morning tableau varies worldwide. As seen from North America, Zubelelgenubi glimmers in between the waning crescent moon and Saturn. In Europe, you'll see the moon shining in between Zubenelgenubi and Saturn. In Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the moon will pair up closely with Saturn. Wherever you may be, simply look for the moon to find nearby Saturn and Zubenelgenubi.
• To double your fun, look at Zubenelgenubi with binoculars or through a low-powered telescope sometime. It's actually an optical double and probably a binary star - two stars revolving around a common center of mass. Also, if you have a telescope, enjoy some real eye candy and behold Saturn's glorious rings.
• The grand finale comes as the predawn darkness gives way to dawn. Some 75 to 60 minutes before sunrise, watch for the brilliant planet Venus to spring into the southeastern sky. As the morning stars and planets fade from view, let the moon be your guide to this blazing world. The waning crescent moon is shaped like a bow, and the bow-shaped lunar crescent points to where you can locate Venus above the horizon. If you can't see Venus right away, try looking with binoculars.

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