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Gemini Twins while Jupiter blazes away near Aldebaran, the brightest star in the constellation Taurus the Bull. Tomorrow evening, you'll see the moon closer to Castor and Pollux, the constellation Gemini's two brightest stars. Jupiter will remain in front of the constellation Taurus as long as the Winter Circle adorns the evening sky. The Winter Circle won't start to fade into the glare of evening twilight till late April or May.
• Are you familiar with the constellation Orion the Hunter? It's very noticeable at this time of year. Most people notice its three Belt stars, first. Orion sits in the southwest corner of the Winter Circle. So - even after the moon has moved on - if you can find Orion's Belt and Jupiter, you know you're in the right area of sky to identify the other stars of the Winter Circle.
• The Winter Circle is an asterism - a group of stars that is not a constellation. Its northernmost star is Capella, the brightest in the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. The southernmost star is Sirius, the Dog Star - the brightest of all stars to light up Earth's nighttime sky. Can you connect all the "dots" - that is, stars - to find the Winter Circle's place in the starry heavens?
• As seen from mid-northern latitudes at dusk and nightfall, the Winter Circle lords over the west and southwest sky, with the stars Sirius and Rigel shining rather close to the southwest horizon. But as seen from mid-southern latitudes - like those in Australia - the Winter Circle shines more in the north to northwest sky, with Sirius highlighting the top of this circle of stars. By the way, Jupiter will stay within the boundaries of the Winter Circle until June 2014.
• Whether you live in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere, let the moon and Jupiter be your guide to the Winter Circle on this Saturday evening, April 16, 2013.
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