Vineyard archery season, now in its waning days, has brought out large numbers of hunters, who in turn have harvested at least 100 deer. Archery hunting season began on Oct. 15 and continues through Saturday, Nov. 24.

The end of archery hunting season for deer will be followed by shotgun season, which runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 8, and black powder season, which runs from Dec. 10 through the last day of the year.

Tonight, look for a thin crescent moon in the southwestern sky soon after sunset. The moon is above the red planet Mars.

Remember last spring, when Mars was a brilliant red ruby in the sky? It has since lost its luster and is barely noticeable. But with the crescent moon an observer gets some help finding this faded red planet. Mars is under and slightly west of the moon.

The moon is slightly higher and farther south tomorrow night. Both Mars and the Moon are in the zodiacal constellation Sagittarius, one of the southernmost zodiac constellations.

A big slice of the way things used to be on the Vineyard is shared in a new exhibit of duck decoys which opened last weekend at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. It is a story that goes back centuries, to a time when many of those residing on the Island were engaged in sustenance living, and when food delivered hot and freshly prepared to the dinner table had to be first hunted and harvested.

In the American Legion Hall in Edgartown, there are two wall displays of town veterans who have served their country. One is new, the other is old. The one that is old shows more than 100 photographs of town veterans who served in World War II. The pictures are black and white and in remarkably good condition for their age. They are formal in nature and reflect a time when Edgartown was a smaller place, close-knit and personal.

The second photo mural is different. It was just recently completed and includes plenty of space for more faces.

The best autumn starry nights are ahead; especially in the coming week when the moon is mostly out of the picture.

This is the time of year to get outside and gaze skyward, when we have the clarity of a winter sky and the comfort of autumn. It is not too cold yet. The Island has yet to experience tiger frost, the bitter cold night when nearly all the deciduous trees and many seasonal plants take a frosty hit.

Islanders lined up at the polls today to cast ballots in a presidential election that has riveted and divided the country. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling places are Aquinnah town offices, the Chilmark Community Center, the Edgartown town hall, the Oak Bluffs public library, the American Legion Hall in Vineyard Haven, and the West Tisbury public safety building.