WHAT’S UP?

Thursday, March 15: Though it is still low in the western sky after twilight, this is as good as it will get this year for observing Mercury. Tonight the innermost planet will reach its greatest eastern elongation from the Sun. Bright Venus will look on from below.

Saturday, March 17, through Sunday, March 18: Since Saturday will be New Moon night, this weekend will be the primary window for 2018 Messier Marathon events. With the Moon out of the way, and if the weatherman co-operates, a dark sky will be available for observers to attempt to seek out as many of Charles Messier’s list of 110 celestial objects as possible. A gap in the Messiers’ locations in the sky coincides with this time of the year, allowing observers to glimpse the westernmost objects as night falls and the easternmost before dawn after a busy and challenging all-night session.

Saturday, March 17: For those not hunting Messiers, Mercury and Venus will appear quite close together low in the southwest sky after dusk.

Sunday, March 18: Another celestial hunt will be available at dusk tonight. It will be an opportunity to view a very young crescent Moon low in the southwest sky as evening begins. The planets Mercury and Venus will be of help since they will be located less than three finger widths above the fingernail paring crescent. Binoculars will be needed.

This is a free schedule of upcoming celestial events compiled by the Okanagan Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.