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March 29, 2024Radio: Today’s Episode
Mars Simulations
Practicing for trips to Mars
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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode
Mars on Earth
Watery bits of Mars on Earth
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Stargazing
Spring Milky Way
The Milky Way arcs low across the west in early evening. Its path is traced by Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, which is in the southwest; bright orange Betelgeuse, well to its upper right; and W-shaped Cassiopeia, low in the northwest.
Head of Hercules
The star that represents the head of Hercules rises below his body. It is called Rasalgethi, and it actually consists of three individual stars. Look for it clearing the northeastern horizon by midnight.
Struggling Mars
Mars is struggling to climb into view in the dawn sky. It looks like a moderately bright star, quite low in the east-southeast during dawn twilight. It’s fairly easy to spot from the southern latitudes of the U.S., but harder to see from farther north.
Moon Phases
At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated (position 1 in illustration). In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later (3). At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight (5).
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Current Issue: March/April 2024
The Great North American Eclipse
by Damond Benningfield
This issue answers all of your questions about the upcoming Great North American Eclipse on April 8th, 2024! This is our guide to one of nature’s most beautiful and astounding events: a total solar eclipse. We’ll also have all the latest astronomy news, a comprehensive two-month stargazing guide for the months of March and April, detailed skycharts, and answers to your astronomy questions from our science guru Merlin.
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