Other articles by Tim Hunter:

Sky Spy: Moon, fireworks both bright on the Fourth Sky Spy : See moon, Saturn as Messier did long ago Sky Spy : As summer begins, four planets visible Sky Spy : Take time to view Summer Triangle Sky Spy : Watch moon cover giant reddish star Sky Spy : Early risers can view some other planets Sky Spy : Good chance to see an old, thin crescent Sky Spy : Big Dipper leads to bright Arcturus Sky Spy : Moon's traveling through Scorpius Sky Spy : Enjoy the beauty of morning sky

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The moon is beautiful no matter its phase or the condition of the sky. Even if it is hidden by clouds, its light produces interesting effects.

Now is a good time to follow the moon for several days because it comes close to two important stars.

On Saturday, after 1 a.m., the waning (getting smaller) gibbous (more than half lit) 22-day-old moon will be just south of the bright star Spica.

I like Spica. It's bright and has a wonderful blue color.

Although we can see Spica in the middle of winter, it was called a harvest symbol by ancient cultures. The sun passes close to Spica in the sky in the fall.

In modern times Spica is more traditionally considered a late spring or early summer object, since it's visible in the early-evening sky.

You should also try to get up before sunrise on Wednesday morning. The moon will be far enough above the horizon by 5 a.m. to be easily visible.

The bright star Antares will be just above the upper edge of the 25-day-old waning crescent moon. The two will be so close that the moon will actually occult (hide) Antares as viewed from South America.

Antares is traditionally thought of as a summer object.

It is a red supergiant star far brighter and larger than the sun. But its nuclear fuels deep in its interior are nearly exhausted. Once they are gone — tomorrow or a million years from now — Antares will die with a massive supernova explosion.

It would be too far away to hurt us, but what a sight that will be.