Current Events In The Sky

Mars continues to shines in the sky this month but will be fading quickly as 2010 continues. Saturn stills the night time sky as it reaches opposition this month. With the ring system very thin, the moons become much easier to see.

The blazing star in the west after sunset is our sister planet Venus. She will continue to climb higher in the sky as 2010 goes on. But she will not be alone as the small world Mercury climbs higher each day by the close of March. This will be the best evening appearance of Mercury of 2010. The two inner planets will only be some 3 degrees when April begins.

The Gamma Normid meteor show peaks on March 13 which is well timed with the moon this year giving way to a nice dark sky. But this is a weak shower and the most of the meteors will be missed for northern observer since they come from a southern hemisphere constellation.

Every year at this time the Messier Marathon occurs and this year it falls on the weekend of March 13 and 14. But a surprise waits for them when viewing Messier 102 as Comet C/2007 Q3 passes within 2 degrees of M102. So be sure to take a look at this 10 magnitude comet when doing the marathon.