March Night Sky

Sure, it is still February so you're probably wondering what's-up with a March Night Sky post.

Tomorrow, March 1, brings a special astronomical event.

A planetary conjunction occurs when two or more planets appear close to each other in the sky. The apparent proximity of planets is an optical illusion as the fact of the matter is they are very far away from each other.  It is their alignment that tricks our eyes.

The highlight beginning this evening has been building all of February.  The two brightest objects in the night sky - Venus and Jupiter - have been slowly approaching each other  And they are kicking-off the month of March with a spectacular close encounter.  And with a pair of binoculars or a telescope you can get a terrific view of both of them together.  

Look for them in the western sky, low above the horizon immediately after sunset. 

Fingers-crossed for clear night skies.