Uplifting news for every one of the stargazers and space devotees out there. The period of March 2018 has some intriguing things to watch and learn. A rare celestial event, known as "Planet Parade" will be visible in the night sky starting March 7 and will end with another rare event, a Blue Moon
Uplifting news for every one of the stargazers and space devotees out there. The period of March 2018 has some intriguing things to watch and learn. A rare celestial event, known as "Planet Parade" will be visible in the night sky starting March 7 and will end with another rare event, a Blue Moon on March 31.
What is Planet Parade?
It is a celestial gathering where a series of bright planets will be seen in the sky with naked eye. You don't require telescopes to see the planets located millions of miles away.
Bright planets are those which are easily visible to the naked eye.
The moon will move a detailed 12 degrees every night, giving skywatchers a clear view of the planets.
Which planets will be visible?
Five planets - Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Venus will grace the sky, though not necessarily at the same time, in this promising arrangement that comes just once in few years.
"The Moon will move along this line of stars and planets, showing up ...near Jupiter on March 7, between Mars and Jupiter, and above the splendid star Antares on March 8, near Mars on March 9, between Mars and Saturn on March 10, and near Saturn on March 11," NASA explained.
When can we see it?
Venus and Mercury - Both the planets will be visible on the northern side of the equator amid March while the southern half of the globe will experience considerable difficulties catching them.
The planets will be noticeable for 75 minutes after the sunset while it will set within 45 minutes in the southern half of the globe. The next stint will be on March 18 when Mercury will be seen achieving its stationary point which is the most distance it can travel away from the sun and after that back to it.
Jupiter - The second brightest planet will be visible from the northerly scopes towards the beginning of March where it will ascent eastwards while Venus will be stationary until October 2018 and will be brightly lit against Jupiter.
Mars and Saturn - One is the closest while another is more remote than Jupiter yet these two will be seen from March 7, 8, 9, and 10 when the sun will rise in the east. Mars will be circling towards Saturn and when it will be as close as only 1.5 degrees from the ringed planet, it will be visible on March 31.
Scientists have affirmed that Mars will be considerably brighter than the sighting in 2003.
What is Blue Moon?
The expression "blue moon" has been around since the 1940s. The name is essentially used to distinguish the full moon as the second to appear within a calendar month.
Full moons aren't exactly uncommon. They occur, on average, every 29.53 days (12.37 times each year), Space.com reported. In any case, to get a look at one twice in one month is an extraordinary treat. It only happens every three years or so.
It's much more exceptional to spot two blue moons in a single year.
There's quite often a full moon in February. Truth be told, the month is only without a full moon every 19 years.
"The last time February didn't have a full moon was in 1999, and the time before that was 1980," Space.com stated. The next time there will be no full moon in February, it will be 2037."
Since February just has 28 days, the current year's full moon carried over to March, affirming the March 31 full moon would be a "blue" one.
When can we see it?
The blue moon will reach peak fullness early in the morning at approximately 8:37 a.m. ET on March 31.
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