Half-moon over Mars and the Beehive (evening)

In the western sky after dusk on Saturday, May 3, the reddish dot of Mars will be positioned just below the nearly half-illuminated moon. Binoculars (orange circle) will also reveal the scattered stars of the large open star cluster named the Beehive to Mars’ left (or celestial SSE). Other names for the cluster include Praesepe, the Manger, Messier 44 and NGC 2632. Tonight, skywatchers located in eastern Canada and the continental USA can watch the dark leading edge of the moon pass over Cancer’s medium-bright star Asellus Borealis “the Northern Donkey” shortly after 10 p.m. Eastern Time or 9 p.m. Central Time. Binoculars or a backyard telescope will help.