As March progresses make an effort to watch the movements of Mercury and Venus in the Western sky this month.
I got this pic on 8/3/18 when the two were at their closest to one another. Venus is on the left and always the brighter of the two.
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| Venus (L) and Mercury in the West after sunset Greg Redfern |
To see them find a Western horizon clear of obstructions, and go outside about 20 minutes after sunset. Look to the left of where the Sun set, or to the left go the bright horizon glow of the set Sun. If you have binoculars this will help too although they will be visible to the unaided eye as the month progresses.
Venus and Mercury will change their positions in the sky due to their respective orbits around the Sun as well as that of our own planet. It is viewing opportunities like this that show us that we live in a dynamic solar system where constant motion is the name of the game.
Venus will remain visible and resplendent in the Western sky for the most part of 2018. Mercury will move from the evening to morning sky later this month.
ZODIACAL LIGHT
While looking West after sunset if you have a dark sky site look for the Zodiacal Light as it gets dark now that the Moon rises later each night. This will be visible as a pyramid shaped band of dim light that is tilted to the left in the sky from the horizon. |
| Zodiacal Light At Sea Greg Redfern |
For my southern hemisphere Space Placers it will be visible in the East before sunrise but you have to wait a few days for the Moon to be less bright.
Enjoy your time outdoors looking at the sky as we get nearer and near to the Vernal Equinox.
Sky Guy in VA
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