Like a badly loaded washing machine, the sky is out of balance this month, as all but one of the planets have gathered into a lopsided array at one end of the sky. That same sector boasts the brightest stars and constellations as well. As if gerrymandered by cosmic politicos, a single neighborhood has been left with all the goodies.
Don’t gaze upward just after nightfall, though--you’ll be jumping the gun. True, the region has subtle treasures: the dim but famous constellations fashioned from Greek legends. Cetus, Cepheus, and their friends certainly contain delights for the experienced sky watcher. But if subtlety makes you yawn--if you’re the kind who likes steak rather than eggplant, fireworks rather than poetry--then the solution is to go to sleep. The in-your-face brilliance emerges just before dawn, between 5:30 and 6 a.m. So if you’re an early riser or a certified insomniac, you’re in business. ...
