The moon can be a guide to identifying other celestial bodies. Friday night, the full moon forms a straight line with the bright star Spica and the planet Saturn. Look to the east at 10 p.m. The moon may act as a guide, but it can also be a hinderance with its glare. Can you spot Spica immediately to its left and Saturn immediately to Spica's left?
A good way of finding Spica, without the moon's help, is to first locate the handle of the Big Dipper. At this time of year, the Dipper is high in the northeast after darkness falls. Continue the handle's arc until it hits Arcturus, the second brightest star from Virginia. Follow the arc more, and it hits Spica.
Such is our view from Earth...
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