Night Sky: Galaxy Quest, and more highlights for March

March is the Time for Galaxy Quest

Every year, March signals the time for astronomers and astro-photographers to bring out their big scopes and start viewing the seemingly endless array of galaxies that appear in the night sky. The constellation Virgo is best known for its abundance of galaxies, but the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) also has some interesting galaxies as well.

The Whirlpool Galaxy, M51 is one of my favorites. I took this picture of it on February 24.

M51 (the large galaxy in the center) was discovered by Charles Messier in 1773. He referred to it as “a very faint nebula, without stars.” Eight years later, Pierre Mechain discovered M51’s small companion galaxy, NGC 5195. Messier confirmed the discovery of NGC 5195 later that year. The whirlpool effect of M51 was not described until 1845 when Lord Rosse viewed the galaxies through his six-foot reflector telescope.

M51 has a visual magnitude of +7.92 and is about 28 million light years (mly) away from us. You might be able to see it through a telescope or binoculars just to the south of the Alkaid, the first star in the handle of the Big Dipper.

M106 is another galaxy that can be seen just south of the Big Dipper.

Pierre Mechain discovered it in 1781, but it was not included in Messier’s catalog of objects that were not comets until 1947. M106 is only 25 million lightyears from us and has a visual magnitude of +8.31. It’s located just south of Alioth, the second bright star up from Alkaid. The faint little galaxy in the upper left is NGC 4248. It’s 36 million lightyears away and has a visual magnitude of +13.

What you can look for in March’s Night Skies

Right after sundown on March 1, you might be able to see Venus, Mercury, and Saturn lined up just above the western horizon.

Mars begins the month almost directly overhead. Jupiter is to the west of Mars, About 60֩ above the horizon. Uranus is about 30֯֯ above the western horizon.

There are no major meteor showers in March.

Moon Phases:

1st Quarter is March 6

Full Moon is March 14

Last Quarter is March 22

New Moon is March 29