Something pretty for March

[madscientist]

Something pretty from my little sphere that I thought some of you might like to see.

In the early evening (7-8pm) if youz look west you will see a very bright star, dat be Venus.

If you hold your hand out at arms lenght and spread your fingers out, put your right most digit on Venus and point the left most digit up at about 60 degrees you should be pointing at a redish star. Now dat be Mars.

Again with your hand held up high, following the curve around from Venus to Mars, two hand widths (approx) you will be pointing at a bright yellowish star. Dat should be Saturn.

Now turn a little and look at the eastern horison and you will see another very bright star. Dat is Jupiter.

A bit later in the month (middle to end), if you look at Venus (perhaps a little earlier 6-7 o'clock) down and to the right of Venus will (if you're lucky) will be a bright pinkish star. Dat be Mercury.

So, in theory you should be able to see all 5 naked eye planets in one go. Dut appen dat often .

Enjoy.

MM

[Al Truest]

Mmmgh... Naked eye heavenly bodies....

[strabley]

The sky is the thing that I think I miss most about living in the city. In Chicago, the sky goes red at night. I'm not kidding. I want to get out of here so bad... Well tonight was cloudy and I could only see a couple stars, the moon, and several airplanes in the night sky. Hopefully it will not be cloudy tomorrow and I can pick out some of the planets, thanks for the info MM!

[Susanne]

Thank you for that beautiful description, MM!
I'll be sure to look out for the planets tonight!

Did you see Mars last August and September, when it was so extremely near to us for a few weeks?
Wasn't that just awesome, touching and beautiful?!

Love, Susanne

[Lori]

So when? Just anytime in March? I'll be checking that out tonight. I've always been fascinated by planets

[Xanadu]

Sheila said:

The sky is the thing that I think I miss most about living in the city. In Chicago, the sky goes red at night. I'm not kidding. I want to get out of here so bad... Well tonight was cloudy and I could only see a couple stars, the moon, and several airplanes in the night sky. Hopefully it will not be cloudy tomorrow and I can pick out some of the planets, thanks for the info MM!

The reality is that it will probably be cloudy 'till June, Sheila. (By the way, I am teasing her, all in good fun, since I actually lived there and have had the exact same sentiments.) It's the middle of the winter scourge there. Actually, I saw a picture from my family yesterday of Monday... my first reaction was of the sky..."Looks like a bad front coming through in the background..."

You know, you can get out of there... it can be done. Drove the 2000+ myself over 6 days. You should visit out here, you may never leave! Whatever it is, at least it's sunny today.

Thanks MM, I shall try to see the planets tonight since it looks like it will be a clear one. Where I live, in the valley, you can't see your hand in front of your face it gets so dark. ;D