Depending on who you ask about when spring actually begins, you’re likely to get different answers. Meteorologists will tell you it starts on March 1st, while astronomers will argue that March 19th is the beginning of Spring (in North America, at least). Well, fortunately for all of you sky-watchers out there, spring is already on its way – and it’s literally written in the stars!

The Early Evening Is Perfect for Stargazing

The spring of 2020 is perfect for stargazing because of the recent equinox where the length of day and night is almost equal. Spring has brought many bright stars and newly visible constellations. You can also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of our own solar system.

The Bright Stars to Look Out For

The Northern Hemisphere will still be dominated by the bright Venus up until June. In the coming weeks, you can see the “belt” stars of Sirius and Orion shining brightly just south of Venus. In the east, you can look out for the blue-white Spica in Virgo, the ruby red supergiant Arcturus in Boötes, and Regulus in Leo. To get the ultimate stargazing experience, look up at around 10 p.m., and you will see the “Spring Diamond.”

Finding Regulus & Leo “The Lion”

Leo, “the lion,” is here to replace winter constellations like Gemini and Taurus. Leo’s brightest star is Regulus, and you can see it around 10 p.m. if you look to the south. It’s shaped like a backward question mark comprised of 6 stars.

How to Find the “Spring Diamond”

The stars forming the “Spring Diamond” are shaped like a diamond, ergo its name. Once you’ve found Regulus, turn northeast and try to spot the Big Dipper. Follow its arc, and you’ll see Arcturus low on the eastern side. When you spot it, take a spike to the southeast to see the Spica right above the horizon. Then go back to Regulus and trace your steps to see the full constellation. Voila!

With all its diversity and collegiality, it’s no surprise that the city of Boston is home to museums of every type. From carefully stored historical time capsules to fun reenactment of history itself, Boston museums give the tourist their pick of options. Whether it is kids or adults, there’s something for everyone! Read on to find out about the must-visit museums of The Hub.

Institute of Contemporary Art

Situated in a stylish and spacious seaport building, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is the cultural cornerstone of the Boston waterfront. With a sprawling 65,000-square-feet of floor space, the glass-walled building houses multiple galleries, a theater, and even a café. Founded in 1936, the museum changed its name in 1948, from the original Boston Museum of Modern Art to ICA. Distancing itself from the partisan concept of ‘modern,’ the museum takes pride in embracing the changing concept of ‘contemporary’ and being an inclusive platform for creative, challenging, and offbeat contemporary works. One can also catch a concert or a DJ on the scenic breezy back deck for a lighter scene.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

As the name suggests, this fun and floating museum is centered on a milestone event in America — the Boston Tea Party. There are various things one can do here, like visit the media exhibits explaining the event, but the most thrilling part is the live reenactment of the historic incident! The one-hour-long museum tour takes place on restored 18th-century sailing vessels, which replicate the ships involved in the original event from December 16th, 1773. Aiming to educate the participants in a fun way, the tour features historical interpretations and interactive exhibitions. Visitors also have a chance to get a taste of history by sampling the five flavors of teas thrown overboard that winter evening. Lastly, one can score a photo op by dumping tea themselves. Memorabilia, anyone?

Harvard Museum of Natural History

The historic Harvard Museum of Natural History in Boston boasts of a vast — and perhaps a slightly creepy — collection of bottled, dried, and stuffed creatures from across the globe. There’s everything from butterflies, to coelacanths, to llamas to please the fossil-mad nerds. One can gawk at the dinosaur skeletons or be wowed by the gigantic 42-foot kronosaurus, a prehistoric marine reptile. Rock fans (the stone, not the music), can head straight to the gemstones and meteorites section. The entry fee to this museum includes admission to another interconnected institution- the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology. This particular museum of Boston is renowned for its anthropological exhibitions focused on North and South America.