Abstract
THE time of the spring equinox is March 20 18h. when the sun enters the sign Aries. The moon is new on March 9 and full on March 23. Lunar conjunctions with the planets occur as follows: March lid. 8h., Jupiter: 12d. 14h., Saturn: 12d. 23h., Venus: 14d. 0h., Mars. It will be seen from these times that the grouping of the bright planets is still a conspicuous feature of the western sky after sunset, although Jupiter is being lost to view as the month proceeds. On March 8d. 14h., Venus is in conjunction with Saturn, and on March 26d. 14h. with Uranus. Mars is in conjunction with Uranus on March 16. Neptune is in opposition on March 14, the distance from the earth being 2,716 million miles. The constellations of bright stars associated with winter evenings are now well westwards when the sky darkens after sunset. The regions of the sky which follows—Leo, Virgo, Ursa Major and Bootes—though less spectacular to the unaided eye, are of great interest on account of the rich fields of extra -galactic nebulae. With small or moderate optical aid, there is also a number of interesting double stars well worth examining, including Castor (separation of components 3·6″), γ Leonis (4·0″), ζ Ursse Majoris (1·7″), γ Virginis (5·7″), ζ Ursse Majoris (14″) and ζ Herculis (1·1″). The last binary has a period of about 35 years and was discovered in 1782 by Sir William Herschel; the greatest separation of its components is ½″. Under favourable conditions the Zodiacal Light may be seen after sunset during this month. On fine evenings when the moon is absent, it is also worth while looking for auroras, for in March occurs one of the semi-yearly peaks in aurorse frequency. [All times are given in Universal Time; subtract 1 hour from Summer Time.]
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The Night Sky in March. Nature 145, 302 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/145302a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/145302a0