With the season advancing, the night sky offers us a great chance to get an excellent early evening view of the Milky Way.

Step outside around 8 p.m. and look straight up for the three important stars: Vega, the brightest; Deneb nearly overhead; and Altair, slightly to the south. That whole field is overflowing with stars in the Milky Way.

Turn and look to the northeast for the Milky Way cloud rambling off to the northeastern horizon.

Go back to the three stars: Vega, Deneb and Altair. Now draw a rambling line towards the southwestern horizon and pass through the Milky Way cloud. The whole cloud stretches from the Southwestern sky up over your head, and then straight to the Northeast.

There is not a better time to get a wonderous and impressive view of the Milky Way as it crosses over our heads. Right now, in the thick of autumn is a fun time.