Top astronomical events in March: eclipses, planets and

constellations - Science News

Updated March 03, 2016 11:25:05
Northern Australia will see a partial solar eclipse, there is the slight hint of a lunar eclipse, Jupiter is
the jewel of the planets, and Mars is in the grip of the scorpion this March.
Partial solar eclipse - March 9
People living in northern Australia - basically anyone north of a line drawn between Perth and
Rockhampton - will see a partial solar eclipse as the moon covers a fraction of the Sun's disk on
March 9.

The eclipse starts well after sunrise, with the Sun a decent height above the horizon.
If you're lucky enough to be in Indonesia and the Pacific region you'll be able to experience a total
eclipse of the Sun as the moon passes between the Earth and Sun.
Don't forget - it's not safe to look at the sun. You will need to use special solar glasses or safe solar
projection techniques to watch the eclipse.
Where and when to see the partial solar eclipse:
PlaceEclipse starts Mid eclipse (maximum covered)End eclipseAlice Springs (ACST) 9.29am10.16am
(11%)11.06amBroome (AWST)7.32am8.32am (37%)9.37amCairns (AEST)10.12am11.12am
(18%)12.15amDarwin (ACST)9.07am10.17am (50%)11.34amRockhampton (AEST)10.55am11.17am
(0.6%)11.38amPerth (AWST)8.06am8.26am (1%)8.47amPenumbral lunar eclipse - March 23
On March 23 you can also see a penumbral eclipse of the moon where the moon glides through the
outer segment of the shadow cast by Earth.
In contrast to a total or partial lunar eclipse, where the Moon is either fully or partially immersed in
Earth's shadow, you will only see a subtle darkening of the southern part of the moon's disk.
Eastern and central states get to see the whole event, for Western Australia the Moon rises with the
eclipse well under way.
No special equipment is needed, just watch the moon and you may see its southern pole get a bit
fainter.
When to see the penumbral lunar eclipse:
Date Time zoneEclipse startsMid eclipseEclipse finishesMarch 23 AEST
ACST

AWST7:37pm
7:07pm
5:37pm9:47pm
9:17pm
7:47pm 11:57pm
11:27pm
9:57pmJupiter the jewel of planets - brightest on March 8
Undoubtedly the jewel of planets this month is Jupiter - readily visible as the brightest object above
the north-eastern sky.
Yellow-hued Jupiter is closest to Earth and at its brightest on March 8.
At this time, Jupiter is rising as the Sun sets. However, Jupiter will be an excellent sight in small or
large telescopes for many weeks before and after this.
Jupiter's bands are easily visible even in small telescopes, and the dance of its attendant moon is a
delight even in binoculars.
On March 4 and March 11 there is a double transit of the moons Io and Europa, with their shadows
visible on Jupiter as well, although you will need a decent telescope to follow this though.
Mars and the scorpion
In the first half of March, Mars will be in the claws of Scorpius the scorpion, which will be rising in
the east just as the constellations of Orion the hunter and Canis major (Orion's hunting dog) head
towards the western horizon.
If you face east around midnight, the distinctive curled shape of Scorpius lies above the horizon.

The body of the scorpion contains the bright star Antares the "rival of Mars".

The head or claws of the scorpion are made up of three stars (Graffias, Dschubba and pi Scorpii).
On March 16, Mars will be less than half a finger-width from Graffias, which is a double star. In a
small telescope the bright pair and Mars, showing a visible disk, will be quite lovely.
Indigenous Australians interpreted Scorpius in a variety of ways. The sting - the curled "hook" - is
variously the head of Ingalpir, the crocodile, Karick Karick a pair of hawks or a fringe of feathers
around the wings of dark constellation the Emu.
Moon and planets
The moon visits all five planets over the month and its position can help you identify the planets.
March 1: Moon close to Mars in the morning
March 3: Moon close to Saturn
March 7: Moon close to Venus
March 8: Moon close to Mercury

March 22: Moon close to Jupiter

March 28: Moon close to Mars
March 29: Moon close to Saturn
Want more science from across the ABC? Topics:science-and-technology,astronomy-space,he-moon,stars,planets-and-asteroids,australia
First posted February 29, 2016 07:03:44
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-29/top-astronomical-events-for-the-month-of-march/7185602