By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

Science, Space & Technology

Space Science Digital
Contact
Search
  • Home
  • Environment

    Observe Gemini’s outstanding Messier 35

    February 14, 2023

    Japanese Hakuto-R moon lander reaches slips into lunar orbit

    March 22, 2023

    Webb captures detailed infrared view of Uranus, its moons and dusty rings

    April 7, 2023

    Do galaxy collisions power quasars? And will our Milky Way become a quasar?

    April 26, 2023
  • Space Flight

    Launch delayed at least 24 hours by upper level winds

    July 4, 2023

    SpaceX tries again to launch Falcon 9 booster making 16th flight

    July 16, 2023

    SpaceX Falcon Heavy set to launch heaviest commercial communications satellite ever

    July 28, 2023

    SpaceX to launch 15 Starlink satellites from West Coast

    August 8, 2023
  • Cosmology

    Astronauts Will Be Tracking Dust Into the Lunar Gateway. Is This a Problem?

    June 13, 2023

    Name Day: IAU contest names 20 new exoplanets

    June 20, 2023

    Mars Lacks a Planet-Wide Magnetosphere, but it Does Have Pockets of Magnetism

    June 26, 2023

    The Sky This Week from June 30 to July 7: A Full Buck Super Moon

    June 30, 2023
  • Latest
  • About Us
Reading: The Sky This Week from March 3 to 10
Share
Aa
Space Science DigitalSpace Science Digital
  • Environment
  • Space Flight
  • Cosmology
  • Technology
Search
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Environment
    • Technology
    • Cosmology
    • Space Flight
  • More Foxiz
    • Blog Index
    • Forums
    • Complaint
    • Sitemap
Follow US
© 2023 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.
Space Science Digital > Blog > Cosmology > The Sky This Week from March 3 to 10
Cosmology

The Sky This Week from March 3 to 10

By Aimee Daly March 3, 2023 5 Min Read
Share


Friday, March 3

The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest point from our planet in its orbit, at 1 P.M. EST. At that time, our satellite will be 252,207 miles (405,888 kilometers) from Earth.

Magnitude 0.4 Mars is still prominent in the evening sky, standing more than 70° high an hour after sunset. The Red Planet sits near Elnath, the tip of one of Taurus’ two horns, some 4° southwest of that star and 20° almost directly above Betelgeuse in Orion. Farther down, 27° below Betelgeuse, is the blazingly bright star Sirius.

Through a telescope, Mars spans 8″, making identification of its surface features challenging. Around 7 P.M. in the Midwest, the dark blotch of Mare Sirenum may be visible, as well as the ligher-colored peak of Olympus Mons.

Sunrise: 6:30 A.M.
Sunset: 5:54 P.M.
Moonrise: 2:09 P.M.
Moonset: 4:54 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (87%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.

Saturday, March 4

The American Association of Variable Star Observers celebrates Propus (Eta [η] Geminorum) as March’s variable of the month. At this time of year, the Twins are already high above the eastern horizon at sunset. The constellation’s two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux — magnitude 1.6 and 1.2, respectively — shine brightly in the falling dark. Procyon, the magnitude 0.4 nose of the Little Dog, lies to their lower right, while to its lower right is Sirius, the brightest star in the sky.

At the feet of Gemini stands Orion, whose three-star belt and hourglass-shaped body are easy for most observers to pick out. Propus lies nearly 16° north-northeast of Betelgeuse, the red giant sitting at Orion’s shoulder. For a closer signpost, use 3rd-magnitude Mu [μ] Geminorum — Propus lies just under 2° west of this star.

Astronomers first recorded the red giant Propus as a variable star in the 1860s. Its magnitude varies between 3.3 and 3.9 over the course of about two-thirds of a year (234 days). And nearby is an added bonus: The 5th-magnitude open cluster M35 sits just over 2° northwest; binoculars or a wide-field view, such as that through a finder scope, will net you both at the same time.

Sunrise: 6:29 A.M.
Sunset: 5:55 P.M.
Moonrise: 3:11 P.M.
Moonset: 5:29 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (93%)

Sunday, March 5

Early risers this morning can catch a flock of “wild ducks” flying across the starry sky. Cataloged as M11 and NGC 6705, the Wild Duck Cluster in Scutum is readily visible in the hours before sunrise, climbing as the hours tick by. Around 5:30 A.M. local time, the cluster is some 30° high in the southeast, just off the tail of Aquila the Eagle. Locate 3rd-magnitude Lambda Aquilae, then slowly scan about 4° west-southwest to land on M11.

At magnitude 5.8, M11 is visible to the naked eye from a good, dark site (it’s best to try before the sky begins to brighten with the first hints of dawn). Spanning some 14′, the Wild Duck Cluster is a rich, compact group of nearly 3,000 young stars that sits an estimated 6,000 light-years away. The cluster’s name comes from the V-shaped pattern formed by its brightest members — though if you want to see this likeness, tune out the fainter stars by opting for binoculars or a small scope over anything larger. With too much power, those faint stars wash out your ability to discern brighter pattern.

Sunrise: 6:27 A.M.
Sunset: 5:56 P.M.
Moonrise: 4:13 P.M.
Moonset: 5:58 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (97%)



TAGGED: auriga, comet c/2022 e3 ztf, full moon, international space station, ISS, jupiter, March, mars, propus, Sky, the moon, variable star, venus, Week, wild duck cluster, worm moon

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Aimee Daly March 3, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

HOT NEWS

Launch delayed at least 24 hours by upper level winds

Space Flight
July 4, 2023

Is that this black gap jet making stars explode?

Again to Article Listing Greater than twice the anticipated quantity of novae have been discovered…

October 27, 2024

NASA Says Spacecraft Crash Test Successfully Changes Asteroid’s Orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacecraft that plowed into a small, harmless asteroid millions…

October 11, 2022

World-Saving Spacecraft Passes Test

NASA says its DART spacecraft successfully shifted the path of an asteroid. For us earthlings,…

October 11, 2022

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Is that this black gap jet making stars explode?

Again to Article Listing Greater than twice the anticipated quantity of novae have been discovered popping off alongside the jet…

Cosmology
October 27, 2024

How Supersymmetry Saved String Concept

String concept, like most revolutions, had humble origins. It began all the way in which again within the 1960’s as…

Cosmology
December 23, 2023

Utilizing Good Supplies To Deploy A Darkish Age Explorer

One of the important constraints on the dimensions of objects positioned into orbit is the dimensions of the fairing used…

Cosmology
December 23, 2023

The Environment of an Exoplanet Reveals Secrets and techniques About Its Floor

As astronomers have begun to collect information on the atmospheres of planets, we’re studying about their compositions and evolution. Thick…

Cosmology
December 23, 2023
We use our own and third-party cookies to improve our services, personalise your advertising and remember your preferences.
  • Jobs Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Exclusives
  • Learn How
  • Support
  • Solutions
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Editorial Policy
  • Marketing Solutions
  • Industry Intelligence

Follow US: 

Space Science Digital

Welcome to spacescience.digital, A source for the latest news and developments in the exciting field of space science. Our blog covers a wide range of topics, from the latest space missions and discoveries to updates on technology and scientific breakthroughs. We are passionate about sharing the wonders of the universe with our readers and providing them with engaging and informative content. Join us on this fascinating journey as we explore the mysteries of space and the frontiers of human knowledge.

© 2024 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?