There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying an evening gazing at the stars. If you are lucky enough to view the skies under an Observa Dome, you will be protected from the elements while getting to take in space’s biggest mysteries. Each month there are different astronomical events to look forward to, and March is an exciting month in the skies!
Start your monthly journey into space March 8 when Jupiter will be at opposition. This means that the planet will be brighter than any other time of year since it will be closer to Earth. You can use a medium-sized telescope to see some of Jupiter’s details and photograph its moons. You won’t want to miss such a visible change in the skies!
The next day – March 9 – you can expect to see a total solar eclipse if you live in parts of central Indonesia. This takes place when the moon blocks the sun to show the sun’s outer atmosphere, or the corona. According to Seasky.org, a partial eclipse will appear in most parts of northern Australia and southeast Asia. If you happen to live in these areas, this is an event that can’t be missed.
Later in the month, while the Northern Hemisphere is enjoying the first day of spring and the Southern Hemisphere takes in the first day of fall, the March equinox will take place. On March 20 at 04:30 UTC, the sun will shine on the equator to create equal amounts of day and night.
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon, sun and earth form an almost straight line and on March 23, you can see the moon slightly darken throughout eastern Asia, eastern Australia, Alaska and North America’s West Coast. If you have the opportunity, visit your local observatory on this day.
No matter if you are an expert or novice stargazer, we all can appreciate the beauty of the universe. With so much to learn, a state-of-the-art telescope shelter like an Observa Dome is a great way to turn students into scientists. Contact us at 601-982-3333 to learn more about creating a custom dome with Observa-Dome Laboratories today, or check the models available in our inventory reduction sale now!