Look for summer triangle and Mars (while you still can)

Start by looking almost directly overhead to find Vega. Look northeast a few degrees to find Deneb. Then from Vega look a few degrees to the southeast and find Altair. These three stars make up the summer triangle.

Friday not only brings our nation's birthday but it also brings aphelion in the Earth's orbit about the sun, meaning Earth is farthest form the sun in its orbit. Since it is also very close to the new moon, this means that Earth will be farther from the sun than any time this decade.

July is your last chance for a while to view Mars, where NASA's Phoenix lander is currently digging in the Martian soil, and Spirit and Opportunity continue their exploration. During early July you can find Mars, Saturn and the star Regulus low in the west soon after sunset. They will be within 5 degrees of each other. On Saturday and Sunday nights, the waxing crescent moon joins them. It will be many months before Mars will again be visible in the evening sky. On Wednesday, Jupiter reaches opposition, making it an excellent target rising in the east just as the sun is setting. Use your binoculars to spot its four main moons.

— Rodney Ash, Special to The Seattle Times

Rodney Ash is a member of Seattle Astronomical Society, www.seattleastro.org. Star Watch appears in NWWeekend the first Thursday of each month.