Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
In March, high solar activity continues: if there are spots on the surface of the Sun, flares are possible, which can lead to the appearance of polar lights (sometimes visible in mid-latitudes). In addition, the period from February to April is close to the equinox (March 20), which means that the probability of the appearance of polar lights increases.
The most interesting events of March: on the night of March 5-6, the Moon will cover the open star cluster M45 Pleiades, known as the “Seven Sisters”; double visibility of Venus (the ability to see the planet both in the evening and in the morning) will be observed from March 17 to 25; on March 29, there will be a partial solar eclipse that will be visible to residents of the North-West and Central parts of Russia.
More details about the events that can be observed from the territory of the Russian Federation:
On March 2, the Moon will appear larger because it will be at its closest point in its orbit to Earth (perigee) and will pass 6° south of Venus, which will also be quite visible, allowing those with perfect vision to try to see the planet’s phase.
March 8 is the best day of the month to observe Mercury, which will reach its maximum elongation (angular distance from the Sun). Like Venus, Mercury can be observed in phase, but you will need a telescope for this. Also, from March 8, Mercury begins its retrograde motion for Earth observers (from east to west, i.e. in the direction opposite to the Sun’s (annual) motion).
In March, as in February, it will be easier for us to find the planets of the Solar System, which on certain days of the month will be near the Moon. For example, the Moon will pass north of Uranus on March 5, on March 6 – north of the bright star Aldebaran – alpha of the winter constellation Taurus, which, if you try, can be seen in full, comparing the less bright stars of this constellation with star maps. They all form a recognizable outline, which our ancestors defined as the outline of a bull.
On March 6 and 7, the Moon passes 5° north of another planet in the Solar System, Jupiter. On March 9, the Moon passes 2° north of Mars, which is easily recognizable by its orange hue, 2° south of Pollux, the brightest star in the constellation Gemini, and Castor, the alpha of this constellation, can be seen nearby on the same line.
On March 12, Mercury passes 6° south of Venus, and the Moon passes 2° north of the bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo.
On March 14, there will be a total lunar eclipse, which, unfortunately, will only be visible in the northeast of the country (Kamchatka and Chukotka). There, the total phase of the eclipse will be visible (the Moon will be illuminated by sunlight that has passed through the Earth’s atmosphere, which will give the Moon a red tint).
In mid-March, the period of visibility of Mercury will end, hiding in the rays of the setting Sun. Astrologers call this phenomenon “retrograde Mercury” and build various frightening scenarios for such a movement of the closest planet to the Sun in the Solar System, but in reality such a movement does not threaten anyone or anything.
On March 17, a “double” visibility of Venus is expected, when we will be able to see this planet both in the morning, before sunrise over the eastern horizon, and in the evening, immediately after sunset low over the western horizon.
On March 20, the vernal equinox will occur – the time when the length of day and night becomes equal. A holiday that has been celebrated in many countries of the world since ancient times.
March 29 — a partial solar eclipse that can be observed in the central and northwestern regions of Russia (Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, St. Petersburg and Pskov). In these cities, the Moon will cover the Sun by 13-40%, depending on the location. Thus, for Murmansk, the maximum phase of the eclipse is about 0.4 (40% of the solar disk), the peak time is 14:45 local time. For St. Petersburg: the phase is about 0.13 (13%), the peak time is 13:47 local time. For Moscow: the phase is only 0.02 (2%), which makes the eclipse almost invisible without special equipment. This very rare, fascinating phenomenon is definitely worth seeing, but due to the small phase of the eclipse, it is necessary to use special solar filters.
The material was prepared by: Alfiya Nesterenko, head of the Vega observatory of NSU, Egor Konyaev, engineer of the Vega observatory of NSU.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.