For North American observers during the evening of July 5, Saturn, Mars, Regulus and the 3-day-old Moon (Diana’s Bow) will appear to lie on nearly a straight line, with the first three evenly spaced. The next evening the Moon will appear beneath the rest of the grouping. Tonight (July 4) should present a fine opportunity to see the Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms behind the fireworks.

I’ve created three graphics previewing the west-northwestern sky from Chicagoland 45 minutes after sunset on July 4, 5 & 6. Although they should well serve most North American observers. They can be seen by clicking: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Last evening I captured the 1.3% illuminated crescent Moon aged 23:49 hrs (2008 JUL 03 at 21:08 CDT). That was 37 minutes after sunset and 18 minutes before moonset at Arlington Heights, Illinois. Below is the photo with the Moon toward the right and just above the clouds. Your photos and descriptions of the crescent Moon and its alignment partners during the coming evenings would be welcome additions to this thread.

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Curt Renz - "Centaur"
For monthly astronomical calendar visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html

Here’s a shot I took this evening of the 2-day-old Moon amid 4th of July fireworks from Arlington Heights, Illinois on 2008 JUL 04 at 21:21 CDT.

__________________
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
For monthly astronomical calendar visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html