Draw a line between the 4 bright planets up after sunset now, and you'll see they make an arc across the sky. In this photo, Michael Seeley in Florida contrasted the arc of planets with that of the Milky Way.
On the night of August 26, a waxing crescent moon will set in early evening. So you'll have dark time to find the Teapot asterism and let it guide you to our Milky Way's center.
Mars was brighter in late July than it had been since 2003. Then - on July 27 - that very bright Mars appeared near the moon as it was undergoing a total eclipse.
It's getting exciting up there! We're headed for a brightest Mars, and a long lunar eclipse, on July 27. Get in the mood by identifying Saturn and red star Antares near tonight's moon.
Raging, planet-wide dust storms - like the one going on now - happen only every 6 to 8 years on Mars. Here's how NASA spacecraft are studying it, plus a cool before-and-after video!
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.