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Weekly Stargazing Tips
Unless otherwise specified, viewing times are local time regardless of time zone, and are good for the entire Lower 48 states (and, generally, for Alaska and Hawaii). Check out last week's tips or the Sky Almanac if you missed a night.
November 20, 2009
The Great Square of Pegasus stands high in the south on November evenings. Its right side, which marks the square's western edge, points down toward Fomalhaut, the brightest star of Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish.
November 21, 2009
Orion, the hunter, is in view low in the east by 10 p.m. Look for his belt -- a short line of three stars that stands almost straight up from the horizon. Bright orange Betelgeuse is to the left of the belt, with blue-white Rigel to the right.
November 22, 2009
The Moon takes aim at Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, tonight. They are well up in the south at nightfall and set in late evening. Jupiter is to the upper left of the Moon and looks like a dazzling star.
November 23, 2009
Look for Jupiter just below the Moon this evening. The giant planet looks like a brilliant star. It far outshines all of the true stars in the night sky, so it's hard to miss.
November 24, 2009
A faint, skinny triangle climbs the sky this evening: the constellation Triangulum. It is about half way up the eastern sky at nightfall, and climbs higher as the night progresses.
November 25, 2009
The constellation Triangulum has only a few moderately bright stars, and only one of those has a proper name. Mothallah -- a name that means "the triangle" -- stands halfway up the eastern sky at nightfall, at the tip of the skinny triangle.
November 26, 2009
The star system Delta Trianguli is high in the east this evening, in the small constellation Triangulum. The brighter of its two stars is similar to the Sun. Like the Sun, it is yellow, and it is in the prime of life.
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