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EYES TO THE SKY: Vernal equinox, Mercury at dusk, NEAF

On this, the vernal equinox, let’s pause together to notice sunrise due east on the horizon and the higher arc our star draws as it climbs and then descends to its due west position on the skyline.

March 20 – April 2, 2017

https://earthsky.org/tonight/equal-day-and-night-on-equinox
https://earthsky.org/tonight/equal-day-and-night-on-equinox

Mt. Washington — By the sun’s path in the sky today – and not far off as March turns to April – we can read that spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere. As day dawns at 6:29 a.m. on the 20th, the sun reaches the midpoint of its journey between the extremes marked by the winter and summer solstices. On this, the vernal equinox, let’s pause together to notice sunrise due east on the horizon and the higher arc our star draws as it climbs and then descends to its due west position on the skyline. Sunrise is at 6:57 a.m., sunset at 7:05 p.m. on the 20th. We’ve come through the dark days of winter to the time of equal day and night.

Venus plunges toward the western horizon even as Mercury rises into view. Sky & Telescope diagram
Venus plunges toward the western horizon even as Mercury rises into view. Sky & Telescope diagram

Half an hour after sunset, at a location with a clear view to the western horizon, begin to look for planet Mercury. Venus might still put in an appearance where sky and land meet, close to the lower right of Mercury on the 20th and 21st. Binoculars will be helpful. The Messenger of the Gods planet might best be seen on the 29th when it will have climbed higher above the horizon and our eyes will be guided by a young moon poised to its left. On the 30th, the waxing moon appears to the left of Mars, which is located above Mercury.

Venus leaves the western evening sky this week only to return as the Morning Star before sunrise in the east. The brilliant goddess planet rises about an hour before sunrise as March ends.

Look for Mercury and Mars every evening at dusk. The moon appears to the left of Mercury on March 29 and left of Mars on the 30th.
Look for Mercury and Mars every evening at dusk. The moon appears to the left of Mercury on March 29 and left of Mars on the 30th.

Every year as spring begins, astronomy enthusiasts from far and wide converge at the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF), at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, a 2- to 3-hour drive from western Massachusetts. NEAF 2017 takes place the weekend of April 8 – 9. Once again, the Rockland Astronomy Club has organized an irresistible line-up of celebrated presenters in the main auditorium as well as formal and informal opportunities for interaction with knowledgeable professionals, amateurs and purveyors of everything related to the study and enjoyment of astronomy.

Opportunities to Participate

April – October, Saturdays at 9 p.m. Public Observatory Observing at the Wilder Observatory, Amherst College: https://amherstastronomy.org/ https://amherstastronomy.org/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=611&Club=1

April 8 & 9, 2017 – Northeast Astronomy Forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU5OL24XtRM&feature=youtu.be

Watch for the waxing crescent moon to meet up with Mars on March 30 and the Pleiades star cluster on March 31. The green line depicts the ecliptic – Earth’s orbital plane projected onto the constellations of the zodiac.
Watch for the waxing crescent moon to meet up with Mars on March 30 and the Pleiades star cluster on March 31. The green line depicts the ecliptic – Earth’s orbital plane projected onto the constellations of the zodiac.

https://www.rocklandastronomy.com/index.html

https://rockland-astronomy-club.myshopify.com/collections/neaf

Resources

NEAF 2016: https://theberkshireedge.com/eyes-sky-neaf-astronomy-enthusiasts-oasis/

Sun and Earth – seasons quick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUW51lvIFjg

Astronomy of the seasons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taHTA7S_JGk

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EYES TO THE SKY: Planet Venus, the Evening Star, closest, brightest mid-February

At peak magnitude, seek out the goddess of love planet in a clear blue sky in the west-southwest during daylight hours, being extremely careful to keep eyes diverted from the sun.

NATURE’S TURN: Turning the corner to spring — a Valentine for Earth

“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community.” — Aldo Leopold

NATURE’S TURN: Dynamic winter designs in snow, treetops

The first porcupine in a string of winter squatters and the first to enter right beside the doorstep to my home, this entitled individual even tread onto and then sidled sideways off the edge of the lowest steppingstone to my front door to reach the crawlspace.

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.