Our back-to-school special of the week is an early-morning view of Jupiter, Venus and the moon rising in the east like beads on a cosmic bracelet.

If you look carefully below and left of the moon, you'll notice dim Mercury as a golden speck. It will be very dim, but if you scan back and forth below the moon, it should pop right out of the morning lineup.

Venus is obvious and shines insanely brightly above the moon. Jupiter is bright, too, but a bit more subdued as it sits in the horns of Taurus the bull.

While you're out enjoying the morning show, look for mighty Orion high in the south.

I don't know about you, but seeing Orion always gives me a little buzz since it means that fall and long, cooler viewing nights are on the way.

Saturn and Mars continue their game of musical chairs with Spica in the west each evening after sundown. This equally bright trio is a delight to admire and point out to others.

For sorting purposes, Mars is the one in the middle, and Saturn sits on the right.

By watching the Mars-Saturn-Spica trio for a few nights, you'll notice a subtle change in positions, which would make a cool sketching project.

After filling up on the Saturn, Mars and Spica show, glance over to the south and check out the Milky Way rising like a starry steam from the south.

The stinger area of Scorpius is in the middle of the stellar blanket, and Sagittarius sits nearby.

Vega shines like a beacon high overhead in Lyra and serves as a navigation star for sailors.

Deneb marks the tail of Cygnus the swan and sits lower in the east.

Cygnus is a fabulous constellation for exploring on warm summer nights. It is home to clusters, variable stars and some exquisite nebulae.

Here's a handy map to get you started on your stellar journey through the swan: Constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/cygnus-constellation/cygnus-constellation-map/.

Of note on the star map of Cygnus is the Veil Nebula marked as 6992/5. Telescopes aimed at this area will instantly mesmerize the observer.

The Veil is a cloud of ionized gas and dust that meanders as a delicate wisp of light.

An easier and fun target is Albireo, marking the head of the swan. Albireo is a double-star duo of blue and gold that is a favorite of astronomers to share at star parties.

Enjoy your adventure in Cygnus, and we'll try some new targets next week.


Email Becky Ramotowski at skywatch@beckster.cotse.net. Skywatch appears Tuesdays.