We are once again happy to present another edition of Marshall's night sky events this week! Welcome, we hope you find something of interest in your night skies this week! Let us know in the replies if you did, would love to hear about it!
Let's examine the highlights of the night sky this week, March 4 to 10, 2024.
As usual we will list the highlights and discuss a few of them. We hope you find this info useful and if you have anything you wish to discuss or add, please hit the "Reply" button below and let us know!
Please note that all images are from Stellarium, the link to the webpage is here: http://stellarium.org/
All other information is freely gathered from various websites, Apps, planetarium software and social media. We would encourage you to download and print your finder charts more specific to your location, the charts included are for basic guidance only.
Many website like Sky maps.com will allow you to download and print out a free planisphere for each month, link: https://www.skymaps.com/
EVENTS for March 4 to March 10 2024
Mar 3) Last quarter Moon at 15:24 GMT
Mar 4) Start to keep a eye out for the zodiacal light as it builds up to it's peak around the March equinox. The wiki page does a good job explaining what it is and when best to view it, have fun and good luck! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiacal_light
Mar 7/8) Moon, Venus and Mars conjunction.
Mar 10) The Moon reaches perigee at 07:07 UT (its closest approach to Earth), a couple of hours prior to new Moon at 09:03 UT.
Mar 10) New Moon, 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (9:00 UT).
Mar 10) Daylight saving time change.
COMETS for March 4 to 10
C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)
This is now a 7th magnitude object, this comet should be visible with a telescope and can be found in the constellation Serpens. Astro photographers are wanted to photograph and submit the images for scientific use regarding the solar wind. If you can help then the following link has all the info, happy comet hunting! https://petapixel.com/2024/02/21/astrop ... oken-tail/
This comet is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
- Pann ZO.png (98.27 KiB) Viewed 237 times
- Pann ZI.png (75.61 KiB) Viewed 237 times
12P/Pons-Brooks
This 6th magnitude comet is only visible to the Northern Hemisphere. This comet can be found in the constellation Andromeda. It is now within reach of binoculars and is still brightening, possibly becoming naked eye as it hits peak brightness next month.
This comet was first discovered by Jean-Louis Pons on July 12 1812. It has a orbital period of 71.32 years, this is a must see!
- Pons ZO.png (95.19 KiB) Viewed 237 times
- Pons ZI.png (64.51 KiB) Viewed 237 times
144P/Kushida
This 11th magnitude comet is fading quickly, it is currently in the constellation Taurus. Visible from both hemispheres.
Get a look at it before it fades away into the night skies on it's journey through our solar system as it orbits the sun every 7.5 years, why wait for the next time?
- Kush ZO.png (120.61 KiB) Viewed 237 times
- Kush ZI.png (89.52 KiB) Viewed 237 times
62P/Tsuchinshan.
This 11th magnitude comet is currently in Virgo and fading. Another one to catch now or wait a few more years!
It orbits the Sun every 6.2 years with a average distance of 3.4AU, it is currently fading, having already peaked at magnitude 8.6
- Tsuch ZO.png (84.18 KiB) Viewed 237 times
- Tsuch ZI.png (78.65 KiB) Viewed 237 times
STARS
Have you ever tried for Sirius B?
Sirius A and B are now at their widest apparent separation in their 50-year orbit, 11 arcseconds apart, and will remain so for the next couple years before they start closing up again. You will require a minimum 8" telescope and excellent conditions. Good luck everyone!
T Coronae Borealis
A star system, located 3,000 light-years away from Earth, is predicted to become visible to the unaided eye soon. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity as the nova outburst only occurs about every 80 years. T Coronae Borealis, or T CrB, last exploded in 1946 and astronomers believe it will do so again between February and September 2024. Plan ahead just in case!
Full article in link below.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/Watch_the_Skies/ ... ern-crown/
PLANETS
Jupiter
The King of planets will be visible all this week, get out and enjoy the Galilean moons dance around the giant planet or take in a shadow transit, plenty to keep you busy here. Plan ahead for the best viewing times depending on what you want to see, have fun! You can use the Sky & Telescope Jupiter moons tool to see what the moons are up to in terms of position relative to the planet, transits and occultations. https://skyandtelescope.org/wp-content/ ... piter.html
Shortly before midnight it starts to dip below the horizon giving you plenty of time to observe it.
This is best to observe with a binoculars or telescope.
Uranus
This planet will also sit above your southern horizon from sunset through to around 1am.
Venus
Venus is just becoming visible in the very early mornings before sunrise in the Southern hemisphere, it has passed it's greatest elongation west and is drifting back toward the Sun.
SPACE LAUNCHES March 4 to 10 2024.
March 4) Falcon 9, Starlink. Time: Window opens 6:54 p.m. EST (2354
March 9) KAIROS launch. Place: Space One Launch Pad at Space Port Kii, Japan. Time: at 02:00
March 9/10) Rocket Lab Electron rocket Time: TBD Place: Pad B, Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
International Space Station
We highly recommend using "Spot the station" from NASA to find out when the International Space station will be passing over your location.
This is a fun object to see flying high above, try using binoculars here, lot's of fun!
LINK: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
For the HAM radio enthusiasts among you, please keep a eye on the ARISS website for upcoming contacts or SSTV broadcasts for when the International Space Station is within range.
This week will see several HAMS get on board the
https://www.ariss.org/
AMSAT are another great resource in this regard: https://www.amsat.org/