Crows are smart. Some fashion hooks from twigs to get at food.
Yet intelligence is probably not the first thing that comes to
mind when most of us think of crows. We’re more likely to
associate them with bad omens or their uncanny ability to find a
way into our garbage. Whether or not you’re a crow fan, I think
you’ll enjoy the version that roosts in the southern sky on
spring nights. Its compact form makes it an easy catch. The
celestial crow is called Corvus (‘crow’ in Latin) and looks like
a misshapen square. You can find it by facing south-southeast at
nightfall. First identify Saturn and Spica, the two bright
objects about midway up in the sky in that direction.Â While
you’re at it, notice how close Saturn is to the star Porrima,
also known as Gamma Virginis. Keep an eye on the two in the
coming weeks – they’re going to get a lot closer as Saturn
slowly marches in the star’s direction. By the second week of
June, they’ll be only 1/4 degree apart. Once you’ve found Saturn
and Spica, look one fist held at