March 2010

The night sky as seen at 22:00 on the 1st of March, 21:00 on the 15th and at 21:00 on the 31st.

The cardinal points of the compass show the view of the horizon in that direction. For example, if you printed out the image below, to see the stars facing north, you would rotate the picture so that N is on the bottom. The stars will then line up with the actual stars in the sky when looking north.

Mercury is not visible until the last week of the month.

Venus becomes visible just after sunset by the middle of the month and is visible in the sky together with Mercury by the last week of the month.

Mars is now high in the south eastern sky after sunset.

Saturn rises just after 20:00 at the beginning of the month and by the end of the month, is visible in the eastern sky after sunset.

Jupiter is not visible this month.

The Vernal Equinox is on the 20th of March at 17:32. This is the time when the sun is directly over the equator, moving from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere.

Between the bright stars Castor and Pollux and the easily recognised sickle of Leo is the faint constellation of Cancer. Although faint it is easy enough to pick out as the stars surrounding it are fainter still. Between and to the right of γ and δ Cnc is M 44 Praesepe, the Beehive cluster. To the unaided eye a nebulous patch, this open cluster is easily visible and best viewed through binoculars. To the right of α Cnc is M 67. This open cluster is not visible to the unaided eye but is easily visible through binoculars. Following a line down from β Cnc we find M 48 an open cluster in Hydra which is easily visible in binoculars. Another open cluster which is a fine object to observe is M 47 in Puppis. To locate M47 follow a line left from Sirius and a line down from Procyon. Where these line intersect you will find M 47.

Constellations best placed for observing are Cancer, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Lynx, Monoceros, *Puppis and *Pyxis.

There are no meteor showers this month.

* Only visible if you have an unobstructed view to the south.