The March Sky: 2007
Events: On March 3-4 a total lunar eclipse will be visible from Eastern North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
A partial solar eclipse occurs on the 19th. It can be viewed from Alaska and parts of Asia.
South of Lynx and east of Gemini is Cancer. Within the square center of this constellation is the open cluster designated M44, the Beehive Cluster. This can be seen with the naked eye on a clear night and is truly a beautiful sight in wide-field binoculars. Contrast M44 with M67, an open cluster west of alpha. Look for thr triple stars zeta and iota-2, as well as the double iota-one.
East of Cancer is the imposing figure of Leo, with its bright alpha, Regulus, at the base of a westward facing sickle. The eastern sector is a right triangle that represents the hinquarters of the lion. Leo hosts a huge number of galaxies including M95, M96, M105, M65, and M66. Most of the galaxies can be found clustered midway between Regulus and thets, south of theta, or within the eastern triangle. North of Leo is the indistinct Leo Minor which contains some galaxies best viewed with large telescopes.
Due south of Regulus is the dim triangle of Sextans, a region devoid of bright stars or easy deep sky objects. Its many galaxies require dark skies and very clear conditions.
Hydra begins in the west just south of Cancer. Its head roughly resembles Cepheus. This constellation rambles eastward almost into the northern summer sky. Along with many faint galaxies we find the planetary nebula NGC 3242 south of mu.
South of Hydra we find Antlia, which, like Hydra, presents us with a slew of galaxies. On the Antlia-Vela border is NGC 3132, a planetary nebula. Vela itself contains both galaxies and the type of object characteristic of the Milky Way. Here we find an impressive array of open clusters, planetary nebulae, globular clusters, and impressive star clouds. Carina is even more impressive: among the open clusters and star clouds look for the globular cluster NGC 2808 and the planetary nebulae Ngc 2867, 3211, 2448.
The planets in March
Mercury is in the morning sky this month. Southern observers will get an exceptionally good view this month.
Venus stands out clearly in the evening sky.
Mars is in the morning sky.
Jupiter is a morning object.
Saturn is visible most of the night in March.
A partial solar eclipse occurs on the 19th. It can be viewed from Alaska and parts of Asia.
South of Lynx and east of Gemini is Cancer. Within the square center of this constellation is the open cluster designated M44, the Beehive Cluster. This can be seen with the naked eye on a clear night and is truly a beautiful sight in wide-field binoculars. Contrast M44 with M67, an open cluster west of alpha. Look for thr triple stars zeta and iota-2, as well as the double iota-one.
East of Cancer is the imposing figure of Leo, with its bright alpha, Regulus, at the base of a westward facing sickle. The eastern sector is a right triangle that represents the hinquarters of the lion. Leo hosts a huge number of galaxies including M95, M96, M105, M65, and M66. Most of the galaxies can be found clustered midway between Regulus and thets, south of theta, or within the eastern triangle. North of Leo is the indistinct Leo Minor which contains some galaxies best viewed with large telescopes.
Due south of Regulus is the dim triangle of Sextans, a region devoid of bright stars or easy deep sky objects. Its many galaxies require dark skies and very clear conditions.
Hydra begins in the west just south of Cancer. Its head roughly resembles Cepheus. This constellation rambles eastward almost into the northern summer sky. Along with many faint galaxies we find the planetary nebula NGC 3242 south of mu.
South of Hydra we find Antlia, which, like Hydra, presents us with a slew of galaxies. On the Antlia-Vela border is NGC 3132, a planetary nebula. Vela itself contains both galaxies and the type of object characteristic of the Milky Way. Here we find an impressive array of open clusters, planetary nebulae, globular clusters, and impressive star clouds. Carina is even more impressive: among the open clusters and star clouds look for the globular cluster NGC 2808 and the planetary nebulae Ngc 2867, 3211, 2448.
The planets in March
Mercury is in the morning sky this month. Southern observers will get an exceptionally good view this month.
Venus stands out clearly in the evening sky.
Mars is in the morning sky.
Jupiter is a morning object.
Saturn is visible most of the night in March.
posted by P. Curtin at 6:24 AM
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