Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Thursday, July 11th.  Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 19 minutes, setting at 9:27.   The moon, 3 days past new, will set at 10:56 this evening.  Tomorrow the sun will rise at 6:09.

The crescent moon will appear to the right of the planet Venus before 10:45 p.m. Tonight.  The red star Antares shines in the south at 11 p.m.  In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer.  Ophiuchus represent the legendary physician Aesculapius.  The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake like a weight lifter struggling to pull up a heavy barbell.  Serpens, the constellation of the serpent is in the sky in two sections.  The front end lies to the right as Serpens Caput, and wends its way up the right side of Ophiuchus.  Serpens Cauda, the tail rises to the left of Ophiuchus.  It’s a rewarding sight, and not that hard to spot.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Ophiuchus and Serpens at 11 p.m.. Created using Stellarium.