Island Planetarium

It’s that Stargazing Place in West Wight”

WELCOME TO THE

ISLAND PLANETARIUM

Run by two enthusiastic astronomers supported by a growing band of volunteers

* * * * * *

Virtual Reality Astrodome

& Stargazing Events

**************************************

Shows start again Easter 2024

Book on 01983 761555 – Leave name, date/showtime, phone number

AduShows from £6 for adults & £4 for children

Adult £6.00, Child £4.00 each show.

Come to 2 SHOWS & get the 3rd for FREE

Also 25% OFF every show and event with our

LOCAL RESIDENT DISCOUNT CARD

COSTS ONLY £12.50 for the year

***************

STARGAZING & MONTHLY STAR GUIDE

8.00 pm Tuesday 2nd April 2024

TICKETS COST £12.50 per person in advance

*****************

Island Planetarium

Monthly Sky Guide – March 2024

This month welcomes the crossover from Winter to official Spring on March 20th, known as the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are almost of equal length. GMT(Greenwich Mean Time) changes to BST(British Summer Time) on the night of 30/31 March when the clocks go forward one hour. This change although welcomed by most people, means less dark sky time for us Skywatchers. However, the long Winter nights did provide much to see in the night sky. 

As Orion and Gemini start to set increasingly early now, they give way to one of the most easily recognisable constellations in the Southern sky, namely Leo the mythical Lion. It appears to the West of Gemini in the form of a Sickle, or reverse question mark. You will easily see the bright magnitude one star Regulus at its base. Regulus is one of the few stars that can be occulted by the Moon, which means the Moon when at the right elevation in the sky, passes in front of the star causing an Occultation. The Moon can also occult some of the Planets. 

To the North, the W of Cassiopeia the Queen is easily visible, whilst the Plough or Big Dipper, which forms part of the Great Bear or Ursa Major, can be seen on its tail pointing upwards. 

Our Moon will be New on the 10th and Full on the 25th. Other notable dates are the 13th when it will be close to Planet Jupiter. On the 14th, close to the Seven Sisters or the Pleiades cluster, always worth a look at with binoculars or a small telescope. 20th and 21st it will be close to Regulus, and near to the bright magnitude one star Spica on the 26th. 

Another interesting effect of a Waxing Moon is “Earthshine” which happens when sunlight reflects off the white clouds and polar regions of the Earth back out into space to illuminate the dark part of the Moon. It is also known as “The New Moon in the Old Moon’s arms” see if you are able to see it between the 13th to the 15th this month. 

Next month we hope to bring you an update on Comet Pons/Brooks which we hope to see with the naked eye if it behaves as predicted when it arrives in April. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, I wish you all clear skies. 

John Ward Amateur Astronomer  Island Planetarium

Website– islandastronomy.co.uk Facebook- Island Planetarium

Dark Sky Discovery Site

“Great place to visit”