Monday: In the north-northwest, two galaxies can be found very near one another with a small telescope. Bode's Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82) are not easy to find due to their distance from any bright stars, but they can be found ten degrees to the lower right of the bowl in the Big Dipper. Under low magnification the two galaxies will just be visible in the same field of view. M81 is the brighter of the two and each galaxy's shape will become clearer under higher magnification.

Tuesday: The time to spot both Saturn and Venus is growing short. At 10:00 p.m., both planets are low in the west. Saturn can be found almost six degrees to the right of Venus. Two degrees above Venus is the star Regulus. The star was given this name in ancient times. The name "Regulus" is Latin and means "little king."

Wednesday: The constellation of Scorpius the scorpion is on the western side of the Milky Way in our sky tonight. Just to the east of the scorpion's tail is a cluster of stars called Ptolemy's Cluster. The cluster is easily visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. With binoculars numerous stars are resolved against the backdrop of the Milky Way.

Thursday: Tonight,

Friday: Tonight, with a small telescope, the four Galilean moons of Jupiter are visible on the same side of the planet. Two of the moons are a little too close to be easily recognized through binoculars. If the night air is still, the Great Red Spot might even be visible as well.

Saturday: This morning at about 5:30, looking east, two planets are visible. Mars appears as a red star over 40 degrees above the eastern horizon. Mercury is also visible, but not as easy to find as Mars. Mercury is a few degrees above the east north-east horizon and is not especially bright. Trees will make it difficult to find this planet. The new moon occurs at 7:04 this morning.