We are proud to present you with another edition of Marshall's night sky events this week! Welcome, we hope you find something of interest!
Let us know in the replies if you did, we would love to hear about it!
Let's get started by examining the highlights of the night sky this week, March 18 to 24, 2024.
As usual we will list the highlights and discuss a few. 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/graphics included are for basic guidance only.
Many websites like Sky maps.com will allow you to download and print out a free planisphere for each month, link: https://www.skymaps.com/
Not every event will be visible from around the world, it is highly recommended that you check your charts, dates and times to see if you will witness the event and plan accordingly. Freeware like Stellarium will quickly and easily let you know if you qualify.
EVENTS for March 18 to March 24 2024
Mar 20) March Equinox. 20 Mar 03:04 GMT. The March equinox or the vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. More here : https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentia ... g-equinox/
Mar 20) 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 21) Close approach of Venus and Saturn.
Mar 22) Saturn and Venus at conjunction.
Mar 24) Mercury at greatest elongation east.
COMETS for March 18 to 24
C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)
This is now a 7th magnitude object. 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 and can be found in the constellation Serpens.
https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advi ... -panstarrs
- PANN ZO.png (105.09 KiB) Viewed 370 times
- PANN ZI.png (79.69 KiB) Viewed 370 times
12P/Pons-Brooks
This 6th magnitude comet is only visible to the Northern Hemisphere. This comet can be found as it leaves the constellation Andromeda heading for the constellation Pisces. It is now within reach of binoculars and is still brightening.
This comet was first discovered by Jean-Louis Pons on July 12 1812. It has an orbital period of 71.32 years, this is a must see!
We have seen some stunning photos of this comet! Please post yours here on the forums for us to marvel over.
https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advi ... ons-brooks
- PONS ZO.png (95.74 KiB) Viewed 370 times
- PONS ZI.png (53.17 KiB) Viewed 370 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 is
fading fast now.
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
- TSCUH ZO.png (80.75 KiB) Viewed 370 times
- TSCUH ZO.png (80.75 KiB) Viewed 370 times
13P/Olbers (2024)
13P/Olbers is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 69 years and was last seen in 1956 and will only be seen again in 2094. Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers discovered the comet on 6 March 1815.
It is expected to brighten to about apparent magnitude 7−8, currently a 12th magnitude comet in the constellation Cetus.
It is expected to peak on the 30th June 2024, so plenty of time to add this to your list and get a look at it, don't forget to tell us about it too!
- OLB ZO.png (110.71 KiB) Viewed 370 times
- OLB ZI.png (48.76 KiB) Viewed 370 times
STARS
Sirius
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.
Spotting the pup is not telescope
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/
More here : https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/spac ... ealis-nova
Betelgeuse
The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) reported this week (March 14, 2024) that the star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion has dimmed by about half a magnitude since late January. Betelgeuse is a variable star, so a change in its brightness isn't unusual.
Probably not going to explode anytime soon, but if you enjoy variable stars then this is one of the most famous of all, add it to your list before it leaves our night skies until the next season.
https://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/be ... e-someday/
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.
Although a easy naked eye planet it is best seen with binoculars or a telescope.
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
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 , it has passed it's greatest elongation west and is drifting back toward the Sun.
Mercury
Mercury is just becoming visible low in the afterglow of sunset as it reaches greatest elongation east.
Saturn
The ringed planet is now becoming visible in the early mornings.
Venus and Saturn will be at conjunction on March 22 in the very early hours before dawn.
SPACE LAUNCHES March 18 to 24 2024.
March 18/19) Falcon 9, Starlink . Place: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Time : 7:20-11:51 p.m. PT (10:20 p.m. - 2:51 a.m. ET, 02:20-06:51
March 20) Rocket Lab Electron rocket, Place : Launch Complex 2, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, Time : Window 2:15-6:30 a.m. EDT (0515-1130
March 21) Soyuz MS-25, Place : Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Time : 4:21 p.m. MSK (9:21 a.m. EDT, 13:21
March 21) Falcon 9 CRS-30, Place : SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Time : 4:55 p.m. ET (20:55
March 22) Falcon 9 Starlink 6-42, Place : LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Time : Four hour window opens at 7:55 p.m.
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.
There are several HAMS on board the
https://www.ariss.org/
AMSAT are another great resource in this regard: https://www.amsat.org/