More "solemn displays" in the sky

As we approach the 237th birthday of our republic; a day which was predicted to be remembered and celebrated with "...bonfires, fireworks, parties, and solemn gatherings," let's add one more aspect to the observance of the birthday of our country--a quick gaze at the "solemn displays" in our sky.

As we are waiting in the gathering darkness for the fireworks to begin, how about checking out some the fireworks in the evening sky?

Let's start by looking west about a half-hour to 45-minutes after local sunset for the bright dot that is the planet Venus.

Our sister planet has graced our sky for several weeks, and will continue to do so for a few more months, but tonight she is adding some special fireworks of her own for our enjoyment.

Use your binoculars to view the sky just below Venus, there you will find a multitude of other stars in the open star cluster, M44, also known as the Beehive Cluster.

You will need a very clear, uncluttered western view, no trees or buildings in the way.

Looking due south you can find a beast with a "fiery" heart, Scorpius, the Scorpion. The "fiery" heart is the reddish color star, Antares, the "Rival of Mars."

Scorpius is one of the few constellations that actually resembles what it is supposed to be. Three stars in a line on the right side for the head and a line of stars running down to the left to form a fishhook, or the letter "J."

Above and to the right of the star Antares is another of our sister planets, this time the yellowish ringed planet Saturn. To the right is the bright star Spica. The famous rings will not show up in binoculars, but will be very obvious in even a small telescope. Wait until the sky is very dark for observation.

Keep moving your observation window to the left -- toward the east -- to find the three bright stars of our old friend, the Summer Triangle. Even in moderately light polluted skies of the city these three stars are obvious.

Bright Vega is the top star of the triangle. The corner star on the left is Deneb, the tail star of the constellation "Cygnus, the Swan" -- or more commonly known as the "Northern Cross" -- and the third corner star is, Altair, in the constellation Aquila, the Eagle.

As an added attraction, the faintly glowing band of the Milky Way, our own galaxy, runs right down the middle of the swan from north to south.

Before heading home from the fireworks show, look north for our old friends the Big and Little Dippers. On the left, the Big Dipper is standing on its dipper with its handle sticking straight up. While on the right the Little Dipper is standing on its tail.

SKY WATCH: New moon, July 8. The two-day old moon is below and left of Venus 45-minutes after local sunset on Wednesday, July 10. On Friday, July 5, the Earth is at aphelion, or the farthest it will be away from the sun for the year. If it is so far away, why is it so hot? Blame that pesky 23.5 degree tilt in Earth's axis. Since the northern hemisphere is "leaning" toward the sun, we are getting more direct sunlight, thus, more heat.

NEXT WEEK: More astronomical blather.