08/17/2015 – Ephemeris – The celestial snake handler

Ephemeris for Monday, August 17th.  The Sun rises at 6:47.  It’ll be up for 13 hours and 58 minutes, setting at 8:45.   The Moon, 3 days past new, will set at 10:04 this evening.

The planet Saturn and the red star Antares shine in the south-southwest at 10:30 p.m. In the and around constellation of Scorpius.  In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer.  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 pulling up a heavy bar bell.  The serpent he’s holding is Serpens, the only two part constellation in the heavens.  The head rises to Ophiuchus’ right and the tail extends up to the left.  In legend Ophiuchus was a great physician, educated by the god Apollo, and the centaur Chiron, also found in the stars as Sagittarius, below and left of him.

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

Addendum

Ophiuchus, Serpens and Sagittarius with Saturn and Antares on August 17, at 10 p.m. Created using Stellarium.