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Scorpius, the most recognisable of the winter constellations, is
rising, with planet Jupiter in the foreground above the eastern
horizon. Its brightest star, Antares, has a distinct reddish colour.
From our distance of 600 light years, it appears no more than a
pinpoint of light, but in reality it is a huge red giant star, several
hundred times the diameter of our Sun, and 11 000 times more luminous!
It sits in the heart of the supposed scorpion, where a curving line of
stars traces out the imaginary body and tail, right around to the two
stars on the sting.
Beneath Scorpius are the stars of Sagittarius. Stretched between them
is the band of the Milky Way, our galaxy seen from within. When we
look in the direction of Scorpius and Sagittarius, we are looking
towards the centre of our galaxy.
In the north-west, planet Venus - visible early evening - seems
incredibly bright. Beneath it (late May) is Mercury. Much higher,
Saturn has a somewhat yellowish colour.
The Moon is in the evening sky until May 6 and after May 18.
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