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| This chart shows the sky
about 8:00 PM on and around the date of our star party, March 10, 2002.
Comet Ikeya-Zhang is about 8 deg above the western horizon, and about 15
deg below and a little to the north of Mars. The present magnitude
is about 5.0. A few observers have reported seeing the comet with
naked eyes under good sky conditions. I have seen it in my 10X50
binoculars. It has become an easy object in Murray's 12", showing
a substantial tail pointing away from the sun. Ikeya-Zhang has now
been identified as a periodic comet first observed in 1661. No doubt,
its return in 2343 will be eagerly awaited.
Mars remains prominent about 15 deg above the western horizon in the early evening, shining at mag 1.3. Saturn is high in the west, about 50 deg above the horizon, shining at mag 2.4. Jupiter, at mag -2.4, is the brightest object in the sky at this time of night. Earlier in the evening, Venus is brighter, at mag -3.9. But Venus is very low in the west, setting about 7:00 PM, leaving Jupiter to reign as brightest object for the remainder of the night. |
You can print a copy of this star chart so you can take it outside.
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