In late evening at this time of year, the "Big Dipper" asterism is upside-down in the northeast sky. By extending the arc formed by the stars in the handle of the dipper, an imaginary line intersects the bright stars Arcturus and Spica. Arcturus, the brightest star in the constellation Boötes—the herdsman—is about 35 light years from Earth. Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo—the virgin—is about 260 light years distant.
(Shown around 9:00 PM in mid-April for mid-northern latitudes.)
