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Founded January 1970
Julian Date: 2459274.18
2020-2021: XCVII
THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
March 2021 Night Sky Calendar Part II
__________
Sick day yesterday.
Sick day yesterday.
Right as rain today.
__________
__________
THURSDAY, MARCH 11: MOON NEAR MERCURY
One will find Mercury and the moon close together in the eastern sky this morning. Observers will see both worlds after 5:20 a.m. As the moon will be passing through the latter part of the waning crescent phase (6% illuminated), one might be able to see "Earthshine," the reflection of Earth's reflected sunlight onto the moon's dark regions. Earthshine is generally visible when the moon is less than 11% illuminated, either in the early days of the waxing crescent phase or in the latter days of the waning crescent phase.
Have you ever noticed that the entire moon is visible when it appears as a thin crescent? Earthshine is the reflection of Earth's reflected sunlight off the moon's dark region. When the moon is less than 11% illuminated, all of the moon can be seen. One might notice that the moon exudes a subtle bluish glow when illuminated by Earthshine. As the image above is a time exposure photograph, the color appears enhanced.
SATURDAY, MARCH 13: NEW MOON
Beginning of lunation cycle 1215
Beginning of lunation cycle 1215
SUNDAY, MARCH 14: THE "ARC TO ARCTURUS" TRICK
Spring's return is imminent and so, too, is the ascent of Virgo the Maiden. Virgo is associated with Persephone, whose abduction by Hades caused her mother, the harvest goddess Demeter, to lapse into a state of deep despondency. Consequently, all the world's vegetation withered and the lands grew cold. Zeus, desperately afraid that the human race would perish, brokered an arrangement with Hades so that Persephone would remain with him for part of the year and would spend the remainder of it with her mother. When Persephone was in her mother's company, the land grew warm and crops flourished. When she was returned to the underworld, the crops withered and the world became frozen and snow-covered. Persephone's vacillation between the underworld and Earth was the mythological explanation for the seasons.
Now that spring is about to begin, Virgo the maiden rises around sunset and remains visible all night. Virgo's brightest star, Spica, represents an ear of what she holds in her hand. One can find this star by first finding the Big Dipper, which begins the night in the northeastern sky. Follow the handle's arc down toward Arcturus, the bright star at the southern tip of Bootes. Continue the arc until you encounter Spica, Remember the famous mnemonic, 'Arc to Arcturus; Speed to Spica.'
MONDAY, MARCH 15: THE IDES?
When that troublesome soothsayer -is there any other type?- advised Julius Caesar to "beware the Ides of March," the dictator was initally curious and then, when the sage simply repeated the warning, dimsissive and decided to move on. Or, so was the account handed down to us by William Shakespeare. Of course, the ill-fated Julius was assassinated on the Ides of March, or March 15th.
What are "Ides?" Simply, divisions. In the Roman Calendar, Ides divided the month in half. In March, May, July and October, the Ides fell on the 15th. During every other month, the Ides occurred on the 13th. Had it not been for this famous Shakespearean soothsayer, the term "ides" might be wholly unknown to us. Remember that the Roman (or Julian) calendar was replaced by the Gregorian version in the 16th century. All the same, the ides are an interesting part of historical calendar reckoning. You have reached the Ides of March today, or the mid-way point. You likely would have known we were halfway through March, anyway, without necessarily knowing it was the Ides.
What are "Ides?" Simply, divisions. In the Roman Calendar, Ides divided the month in half. In March, May, July and October, the Ides fell on the 15th. During every other month, the Ides occurred on the 13th. Had it not been for this famous Shakespearean soothsayer, the term "ides" might be wholly unknown to us. Remember that the Roman (or Julian) calendar was replaced by the Gregorian version in the 16th century. All the same, the ides are an interesting part of historical calendar reckoning. You have reached the Ides of March today, or the mid-way point. You likely would have known we were halfway through March, anyway, without necessarily knowing it was the Ides.
TUESDAY, MARCH 16: WHERE'S THE SUMMER TRIANGLE?
Now that we're less than a week away from spring, where will one find the Summer Triangle? This triangle consists of three bright stars, each of which belongs to a different constellation. Vega, the brightest star, forms the northern tip of Lyra the Harp. Altair, the southern summer triangle star, represents the eye of Aquila the Eagle. Deneb marks the tail of Cygnus the Swan, also known as the Great Northern Cross. One will find this triangle in the eastern early moerning sky. Best to venture out around 3 - 4 a.m. If you're not inclined to rise that early, just realize that the Summer Triangle will become a promiment evening sky sight by late spring, early summer, hence the name.
FRIDAY, MARCH 19: THE MOON NEAR MARS
Find the red planet near the waxing crescent moon (31% illuminated). One will see them both set just after midnight.
Part III tomorrow.
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