March Stargazing

It's finally becoming springtime. The trees began budding weeks ago, regardless of the freezing temperatures.

It's truly an awesome thing, watching the earth begin to bud again after fall and winter. And knowing that all it might take to disrupt the seasons is an abnormally large earthquake makes me appreciate it all the more.

March Stargazing

The warmer nights of spring bring a panoply of new stars and constellations for skywatchers to enjoy. Leo is in good view by nightfall, climbing straight up from the eastern horizon, led by his bright "heart," the star Regulus. Virgo follows the lion a couple of hours later. Boötes, the herdsman, is to the maiden's left, marked by yellow-orange Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. The planet Venus begins its climb into the evening sky, where it will remain until about Halloween.

More stargazing information: http://stardate.org/nightsky/weekly.php


Radio Program Highlights

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March 1-7: Rejuvenation. Like characters in a horror movie, a few stars in a nearby cluster are gaining new life by "stealing" it from other stars. We'll have details, plus a "Styrofoam" planet.

March 8-14: The Lion. Leo strides high across the sky this month, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about a few of its stars, including one with a possible planet. Join us for tales of the lion.

March 15-21: A Season for Seasons. Spring arrives in the northern hemisphere this week, and we'll have details. But Earth isn't the only planet with seasons, and we'll talk about one of the others. Join us for the changing seasons and much more.

March 22-28: Orange and Black. The planet Mars, which glows bright orange, huddles close to the Moon this week, and we'll have details. And we'll also talk about black holes -- including one that may be a close neighbor.

March 29-31: Chunkin' at the Moon. Like kids throwing rocks in a pond, scientists just can't stop throwing things at the Moon. They've been doing it for half a century -- and it's all in the name of science.

March Program Schedule: http://stardate.org/radio/calendars
Find an Affiliate: http://stardate.org/radio/affiliates.php

This month in StarDate Magazine

Astronomer Alastair Gunn returns to StarDate with his take on the future of radio astronomy. And learn how astronomical objects get their names — past and present — from science writer Harvey Leifert.

Subscribe online: http://stardate.org/magazine

Spring Break at the Observatory

Spring Break is coming March 13-20. To accomodate the high number of visitors we see during this period, the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center will be offering additional Guided Tours, Solar Viewings, and Star Parties for this week only.

For more information: http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/visitors/programs/SpringBreak2010.html