Find The ‘Blaze Star' Among The Stars Of Spring: The Weekend Night Sky
Each Friday, I pick out North America's celestial highlights for the weekend (which also applies to northern hemisphere mid-northern latitudes). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
Spring started yesterday, with the vernal equinox bringing equal nights of light and dark to everywhere on our planet.
However, sky-watchers already know that spring is here, with late-March seeing the stars of spring appear, bringing new shapes and constellation — and possibly an exploding star. It's also wise to look out for the Northern Lights, which tend to strengthen around the equinoxes.
Here's everything you need to know about stargazing this weekend:
These are the constellations that can be seen in spring. They include the Great Spring Triangle. The ... More design features a forest and a telescope.
Here's celestial proof that spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. Face northeast and you'll see the Big Dipper with its handle facing down towards the horizon. Follow that handle in an arc and you'll come to Arcturus low in the eastern night sky — a red giant star about 37 light years distant and the fourth-brightest in the night sky. Now take a spike to the southeast and you'll see Spica just above the horizon. Spica is 261 light years distant. Now find Denebola in the springtime constellation Leo to make the shape of a equalateral triangle — the 'Great Spring Triangle.'
The moon reaches its last quarter phase tonight, shining half-lit in the constellation Sagittarius. More importantly for stargazers, the last quarter has the moon rising at midnight. That clears the way for about 10 completely moonless evening night skies ideal for finding constellations
How To Find Corona Borealis.
If there's one thing to find this weekend, it's Corona Borealis, the 'Northern Crown.' This curl of seven stars between the constellations Boötes and Hercules could be about to host an eighth bright stars — but just for a few days. If astronomers are correct, a dim binary star called T Corona Borealis (or T CrB and he 'Blaze Star' for short) may go nova and explode on March 27, becoming 1,000 times brighter. Here's how to find it in the east about three hours after sunset.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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