Sure, we’ve said it before. But we’ll say it again, because it’s one of the neatest tricks in all the heavens. That is … Orion’s Belt points to Sirius. Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. It’s up before dawn now but will be shifting into the evening sky as the months pass. And if you’re out before dawn tomorrow morning – September 10, 2012 – you can’t fail to see a spectacular sight in the predawn sky. The moon will be in between the sky’s brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter.
Jupiter shines to the north of Orion in September 2012
Orion is found in the predawn morning sky every September, but the planet Jupiter’s presence to the north of the Hunter is special to September of 2012. Also, the presence of the waning crescent moon to the north of Orion also happens tomorrow on September 10, 2012. Venus is brighter than Jupiter – and closer to the eastern horizon before dawn.
The phases of the moon recur on or near the same calendar dates in cycles of 19 years, so look for a similarly-sized waning crescent moon to return to this place in the starry sky on September 10, 2031. Mark your calendars! :-)
If you draw an imaginary line from Jupiter and past the moon, you’ll see the brightest planet of all – Venus – in the eastern sky. Orion and Sirius are located to the right of this line made by the planets and moon, as you stand facing east before dawn. Sirius beams as third-brightest star-like object in the heavens, after the planets Venus and Jupiter.
Here’s an image of the east before dawn today (September 9, 2012). EarthSky Facebook friend Migizi Gichigumi captured this scene. Thank you, Migizi! You can see the line made by the moon (center), Jupiter (upper right) and Venus (lower right). The three stars of Orion’s Belt are clearly visible to the right of this line. On Monday morning, September 10, the scene will be much the same – but the moon will be closer to Venus. Click here to expand this image.
Yes, you can find Orion. Trust me. If you go outside and look south to southeast before dawn now, you’ll notice Orion’s Belt, which consists of a short, straight row of medium-bright stars. Just draw a line through Orion’s Belt and extend that line toward the horizon. You’ll easily spot Sirius, the sky’s brightest star.
Sirius is in the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. It’s often called the Dog Star.
Bottom line: On Monday, September 10, 2012, you’ll find the moon in between the sky’s two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, in the east before dawn. To the right of this line-up, you’ll find the constellation Orion, who three Belt stars make a short, straight row in the southeast before dawn. Orion’s Belt always points to Sirius, the sky’s brightest star. Enjoy these bright and beautiful objects before dawn!
from http://earthsky.org/tonight/good-sky-trick-orions-belt-points-to-starsirius
Jupiter shines to the north of Orion in September 2012
Here’s an image of the east before dawn today (September 9, 2012). EarthSky Facebook friend Migizi Gichigumi captured this scene. Thank you, Migizi! You can see the line made by the moon (center), Jupiter (upper right) and Venus (lower right). The three stars of Orion’s Belt are clearly visible to the right of this line. On Monday morning, September 10, the scene will be much the same – but the moon will be closer to Venus. Click here to expand this image.
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