Weymouth Astronomy

The Night Sky - March 2023

The Night Sky At the start of March the skies are dark enough to begin observing at around 18:45, an hour or so after sunset. The winter constellations still hold sway with Orion culminating in the southern sky. Taurus lies to his north west (upper right) and Gemini to his north east (upper left) and the blazing beacon which is Sirius hangs low over the south south east horizon.

The begining of the month provides an opportunity to observe the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus towards the West after sunset. On the 23rd of the month, there is a grouping of Jupiter, Venus and a thin crescent Moon.


Highlights of the Month

  • 1st (after sunset): Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus looking West
  • 23rd (after sunset): Jupiter, Venus and a thin crescent Moon
  • 24th (evening): A thin crescent (3.3 day old) Moon will be seen to lie above Venus
  • 27th (after sunset): Mercury and Jupiter on a low western horizon
  • 28th (after sunset): Mars will be seen to lie below the First Quarter Moon

 

Information collated from Jodrell Bank and Astronomy Now magazine