On Saturday night, look ﻿to the left (east) of the moon to see Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Virgin.

If you have the time and inclination, look at the moon, Mars, and Spica every so often Saturday night until they get very low in the west around midnight. You will see the moon slowly moving to the east away from Mars and toward Spica.

Sunday night the moon is farther to the east, halfway between Mars to the west and Saturn to the east.

Monday night things get exciting again. The moon will be just below and to the left of Saturn. Try to look at them through binoculars or a low power telescope. Moreover, just to the right (west) and slightly below (south of) the moon and Saturn is the star Zubenelgenubi. If you can remember the name of this star — and can spell its name correctly — you have arrived as an amateur astronomer.

Nine degrees north of Zubenelgenubi, the moon, and Mars is its buddy Zubeneschamali. These stars are not related per se, but in ancient times they were considered to be the outstretched claws of Scorpius the Scorpion, though nowadays they are assigned to Libra the Scales.

Contact Tim Hunter at skyspy@azstarnet.com