A giant stellar nursery known as M17 arcs across the south. It’s part of a system that has given birth to thousands of stars. M17 is above the lid of the “teapot” formed by the brightest stars of Sagittarius, which is low in the south at nightfall.

If you're up before the crack of dawn tomorrow morning, take a look at the thin crescent Moon with binoculars. Can you spot the Beehive Cluster nearby?