Wednesday, March 1
The month of March kicks off with a bang as Venus and Jupiter meet within the sky. Tonight is the perfect time to view the occasion within the U.S., though the true second of conjunction happens early tomorrow (when the 2 planets have set for U.S. observers.)
At sundown, Venus continues to be about 30° excessive within the west. The brilliant magnitude –3.9 planet ought to come out of the twilight shortly after the Solar sinks under the horizon. Jupiter lies simply 30′ to the southeast (higher left); at magnitude –2.1 it’s nonetheless vibrant sufficient to look quickly after sundown. See how lengthy it takes so that you can spot the gas giant’s glow within the sky.
Focus in on the pair with binoculars or, higher but, a telescope to glean extra element. Venus seems 12″ throughout and is 86 p.c lit. Right here, Jupiter actually exhibits its would possibly — though it’s farther from Earth, its a lot bigger girth means it seems 34″ throughout, almost 3 times as vast as Venus. Additionally seen are three of its 4 Galilean moons: From nearest to farthest, Io, Ganymede, and Callisto all lie strung out to the planet’s east. Europa is at present behind the planet in an occultation and gained’t make its means out of Jupiter’s lengthy, darkish shadow earlier than the system units for the jap and center U.S., although West Coast observers will see it reappear about 15′ east of the planet’s limb round 7:10 PST.
Dawn: 6:33 A.M.
Sundown: 5:52 P.M.
Moonrise: 12:14 P.M.
Moonset: 3:23 A.M.
Moon Section: Waxing gibbous (73%)
Thursday, March 2
Venus formally passes 0.5° north of Jupiter at 6 A.M. EST, when each are not above the horizon. As a substitute, you may catch them once more after sundown, now with Venus shining lower than 1° to the higher proper (northwest) of Jupiter. They’re nonetheless shut sufficient to catch in the identical discipline of view of a telescope, and all 4 of Jupiter’s moons are seen tonight. Io sits alone west of the planet, whereas Europa (closest), Ganymede, and Callisto (farthest) lie east.
After you’ve appeared your fill, look far to the higher left (east-southeast) within the sky and also you’ll spot unmissable Sirius, the nostril of Canis Main. Slide again to the decrease proper (west) of that vibrant star a bit, and also you’ll be smack dab in the midst of the constellation Lepus the Hare. Located immediately south of Orion, Lepus has two named stars, Arneb (its magnitude 2.6 alpha star) and Nihal (magnitude 2.9, the beta star). However the constellation options a number of different, fainter stars that create the obscure define of a rabbit beneath the acquainted hourglass of Orion’s physique.
Dawn: 6:32 A.M.
Sundown: 5:53 PM
Moonrise: 1:09 P.M.
Moonset: 4:12 A.M.
Moon Section: Waxing gibbous (80%)
Friday, March 3
The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest level from Earth in its orbit, at 1 P.M. EST. At the moment, our satellite will sit 252,207 miles (405,888 kilometers) away.
Leo the Lion is climbing up into the jap sky after sundown this night. Give him a couple of hours to rise above the horizon haze, then flip your telescope towards his hind finish to find the gorgeous Leo Triplet of galaxies.
This trio is positioned about midway between Theta (θ) and Iota (ι) Leonis, making them comparatively straightforward to search out together with your telescope. The grouping consists of three spirals: M65, M66, and NGC 3628, all roughly 35 million light-years away. M66 is brightest by a smidge, coming in at magnitude 8.9; M65 is magnitude 9.3, whereas NGC 3628 is magnitude 9.5. Each M65 and M66 will present some indicators of their spiral construction by growing apertures, however NGC 3628 is edge-on, trying lengthy, skinny, and comparatively featureless. NGC 3628 is the farthest east; utilizing this galaxy as a place to begin, M65 lies 35′ southwest of NGC 3628 and M66 is 35′ south of NGC 3628.
The Moon needs to be far sufficient away {that a} moderate-sized telescope will choose up these targets. For those who’re having hassle, although, wait a couple of days, till the Moon has handed by this area of the sky and rises after the Lion. That can afford darker skies for these with smaller devices to take pleasure in these galaxies.
Dawn: 6:30 A.M.
Sundown: 5:54 P.M.
Moonrise: 2:09 P.M.
Moonset: 4:54 A.M.
Moon Section: Waxing gibbous (87%)
