Dear Skywatcher

Apologies for failing to remind you all of the ROE talk on the night sky in February.  I’m afraid this coincided with my daughter’s birthday and this is a no miss event in our house.

I am determined to make good, so this is early notice of the ROE talk “the Night Sky in March” to be given by Russell Eberst on Monday February 25^th.  Doors open at 7 for a 7.30 p.m. start.

First though, rush outside tonight (or tomorrow or the next night) for a chance to see Mercury low on the south western horizon.  He should be visible at about 6.30 p.m. if the sky is clear (a big if of course).  Here is a link to the Earth Sky article illustrating the beautiful conjunction of Mercury with the crescent moon that we might hope to see.

By tomorrow the Moon will have moved away from Mercury.  The Moon back tracks across the sky each night by 12°.  If I recall correctly, you can judge 12° by making a fist and holding it out at arm’s length.  That’s the distance the Moon should have moved by 6.30 p.m. tomorrow night compared with the earth sky image for tonight.

Happy skywatching

http://earthsky.org/tonight