2017 Week 12: (March 19-25)

The weather has certainly warmed up but we've had many clouds in the night sky.  I only saw a star here and there this week and am hoping for better skies in the week that follows.  There was a very bright iridium flare last Wednesday evening that shone through the thick overcast clouds.  I found it remarkable that a satellite could shine so brightly that it could penetrate the cloudy sky.

Date	Event
Mar 20	Saturn 3°S of Moon
Mar 20	Vernal Equinox
Mar 20	Last Quarter
Mar 25	Venus at inferior conjunction

Next week has the equinox where the Sun cross the celestial equator to begin Spring.  This also happens to occur a few hours before the Moon is at last quarter.  The weather is supposed to be great for observing.  There are few clouds and warm temperatures forecast for next week.  I am hoping to use this opportunity to get the equatorial mount out to update my Messier pictures.

Venus will be at inferior conjuction on March 25.  This means it crosses the same celestial longitude (Right Ascension) as the Sun.  However, the way the orbital plane is oriented, Venus will pass approximately 7° over the Sun.  If you can catch it right you can see Venus set after the Sun and rise before the Sun the next morning.  You may even catch Venus at its new phase, similar to a New Moon.

This next week might be a good opportunity for trying to track down our Solar System's smallest planet -- Mercury.  Mercury will be visible in the western sky for a few weeks centered on April 1.  It will be at what is known as its greatest elongation East.  This means it is at its furthest distance East of the Sun in its orbit.  Mercury tends to not be visible most of the time because the Sun drowns out the light of the planet.  However, when Mercury is at its furthest point away from the Sun it gives us the opportunity to glimpse it.  If you can find Mars close after sunset look down and you should be able to see Mercury.  If you live in McKenzie Lake, I would recommend a walk to the Bow River ridge right after sunset.  Wait until the twilight clears and see if a point of light appears above the horizon.  You may have found Mercury!

Another important thing to look for in the sky is Comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak.  It will be in the scoop of the Big Dipper from March 22-24 at around magnitude 7.2.  It should be able to be seen through modest binoculars.  Scan inside the scoop with your binoculars and you may see a fuzzy patch of green light.  That will be your comet!  Don't fret if you are unable to find it.  It will get brighter up until April 2.  For more information, please see my previous blog post on the comet below.

http://simonjastronomy.blogspot.com/2017/03/comet-alert-41ptuttle-giacobini-kresak.html

In closing this post I would like to celebrate the fact the clouds parted this evening for a good thirty minutes of observation time.  It became too humid and my optics started to dew up so I had to pack it in early.  However, I was able to hunt down four Messier objects in and around Canis Major and Puppis.  Updates on these objects will be provided in blog posts next week; hopefully with pictures!

Please enjoy the weather and clear skies.  If you have any questions about anything you see please contact me and we can have a discussion!  Good luck and clear skies!