To use this map, cut it out and attach it to a stiff backing. Hold it over your head and line up the compass points on the map to the compass points on the horizon where you're observing from. East and west on this map are not backwards. This is not a misprint. I guarantee that when you hold this map over your head, east and west will be in their proper positions. Also use a small flashlight and attach a red piece of cloth or red construction paper over the lens of the flashlight. You won't lose your night vision when you look at this map in red light.

They aren't as flashy as Fourth of July fireworks, but the stars are available for gazing every clear night this month and let's face it, the average municipal fireworks show only goes on for a half-hour.

Armed with bug juice, you can stargaze all night long and I've noticed, at least where I've been, that the mosquitoes leave you alone and go to bed around 11 p.m.

It's not exactly like the grand finale of a fireworks show, but Venus and Saturn are still hanging close together in the low western sky early in the evening, at least for the first part of the month.

Meanwhile, you can't miss Jupiter in the east.

It's the brightest starlike object in the southeastern sky, strutting its celestial stuff right next to the brick red star Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion.

Scorpius is one of those constellations that actually looks like what it's supposed to be. You'll see Scorpius as it climbs into the southern summer sky, the later in the evening the better.

The Dippers are in their usual place in the northern sky, twirling around the North Star with the Big Dipper hanging from its handle. Look at Mizar, the middle star of the Big Dipper's handle, and see if you can spot its faint companion Alcor.

The Big Dipper by itself is not an official constellation, but is the butt and tail of the constellation Ursa Major, otherwise known as the Big Bear. The mighty beast is hanging by its tail in the northwestern sky. The Little Dipper does double duty. Not only does it serve as the smaller dipper, but it's also Ursa Minor, the Little Bear.

In the high southwestern sky you'll see the brightest actual star in the sky tonight, Arcturus, also the brightest star in Bootes, the constellation that's supposed to be a farmer hunting the Big Bear.

It's much easier to see it, though, as a giant kite with Arcturus at the tail.

The second brightest star after dark tonight will be Vega, popping out in the high southeastern sky. It's a remarkable star with quite a story. Vega, along with Lyra, the constellation it resides in, will both get the celestial spotlight next week in Skywatch.

Mike Lynch is an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist for WCCO Radio in Minneapolis and is author of the book, "Pennsylvania Starwatch," available at bookstores and at his Web site www.lynchandthestars.com