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March 18, 2024

Radio: Today’s Episode

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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode

Stargazing

  • Moon and Gemini

    Pollux, the brighter twin of Gemini, is close to the left of the Moon at nightfall. The other twin, Castor, is farther to the upper left of the Moon.


  • Orion’s Head

    When spring arrives on Tuesday night, the Sun will be passing through Pisces. Over time, the Sun’s location at the vernal equinox slips westward. About 6,500 years ago it was just above the head of Orion the hunter, which tonight is below the Moon at nightfall.


  • Moon and Elnath

    The Moon hangs precariously near a star with a nasty-sounding name tonight: Elnath. The name comes from an Arabic phrase that means “butting” or “goring.” It indicates the star’s position at the tip of one of the horns of Taurus, the bull.


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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Stardate Magazine

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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