Thursday, March 30
The waxing Moon is simply rising brighter, however we’re going to strive our luck at a fainter goal anyway, as a result of tonight is image good: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is simply 3.3° from IC 2118, higher often called the Witch Head Nebula.
Each are setting at sundown and sit about 25° excessive an hour after the Solar disappears. That gives a brief however usable dark-sky window, although the sooner you’re in a position to hunt them down, the higher. As they close to the horizon, the turbulent air of Earth’s environment will begin to fuzz out your view. The Moon doesn’t fairly assist, both, however not less than it’s a couple of constellations away!
You’ll discover your quarry tonight not removed from the brilliant star Rigel in Orion. The Witch Head is lower than 3° northwest of that star, and ZTF lies west-southwest of the nebula. Intention for the comet first; it’s now round magnitude 10, however its concentrated coma ought to provide comparatively good floor brightness so that you can spot it. You should utilize magnitude 4.4 Omega (ω) Eridani as a jumping-off level: ZTF is 2° south of this star.
You’ll want a big telescope to visually find the Witch Head, which spans a formidable 1.5° working roughly northeast to southwest. An 8-inch scope will present the brightest parts, whereas an 11-inch or bigger will give a significantly better view of the complete construction. As a result of the Moon is out tonight, your greatest guess is to seize {a photograph} of the area, which can decide up each the comet and the nebula higher than your eyes ever may. ZTF has slowed considerably and can stay close by for a number of days, although the Moon is simply rising brighter because it nears Full early subsequent month.
Dawn: 6:47 A.M.
Sundown: 7:22 P.M.
Moonrise: 12:58 P.M.
Moonset: 3:52 A.M.
Moon Part: Waxing gibbous (65%)
Friday, March 31
Venus passes 1.3° north of Uranus at 2 A.M. EDT. You’ll must catch the pair within the night, when they’re simply barely farther aside — 1.8° — within the west shortly after sundown and stay within the sky for nearly three hours, providing ample time for viewing. (Although as traditional, the sooner, the higher.)
Venus remains to be stunningly vivid at magnitude –4, inconceivable to overlook because it pops out early in opposition to the falling twilight. It’s a waning gibbous with its disk 77 % lit. Uranus, nonetheless magnitude 5.9, would require binoculars or a scope to select, particularly whereas the sky remains to be gentle however probably even after darkish as effectively. It lies to Venus’ decrease left (south-southwest) this night.
Gradual-moving Mars remains to be up close to M35 in roughly the identical place as a couple of days in the past. However now the Moon has moved on, so the view could also be simpler to take pleasure in.
The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest level from Earth in its orbit, at 7:17 A.M. EDT. At the moment, Luna sits 251,605 miles (404,919 kilometers) away.
Dawn: 6:46 A.M.
Sundown: 7:23 P.M.
Moonrise: 1:59 P.M.
Moonset: 4:29 A.M.
Moon Part: Waxing gibbous (74%)
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