March springs upon us with Mercury and Messier Marathons
Hello, everyone!
As we move into March, we find ourselves on the cusp of spring — a time of renewal, longer days, and clearer skies (hopefully!). With the Vernal Equinox on March 20, we can officially say: SPRING IS COMING! It’s the perfect opportunity to shake off the winter chill and prepare for an exciting season of observing.
Our 60th March meeting will be held on Sunday, March 3rd, at Hofstra University, starting at 1:15PM, and we have a fantastic schedule planned. Starting at 3:00PM, we’re excited to welcome Julian Shapiro, a 17-year-old astronomer and astrophotographer from Manhattan, who will present “The Explosive Final Acts of Stars: Discovering New Planetary Nebulae and Supernova Remnants.” Julian’s work in astrophotography and research has gained recognition in the astronomy community, and this is a presentation you won’t want to miss!
March also marks the beginning of the Messier Marathon season, with the best dates for attempting the full list of 110 objects falling on March 21–23 and March 28–30. In honor of AOS Honorary Member Don Machholz, the originator of the Marathon event, we encourage everyone to make the attempt! Join us to learn about Mini Marathons and the awards you can receive for participating. Whether you complete the full list or just get started, it’s a rewarding challenge for all skill levels.
Celestial Highlights for March
- March 7: Mercury at Greatest Elongation – a great chance to spot the elusive inner planet.
- March 14–15: Total Lunar Eclipse – a must-see event as the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow.
- March 20: Vernal Equinox – marking the first official day of spring!
- March 23: Saturn Ring Plane Crossing – a rare event where Saturn’s rings appear edge-on from Earth.
- March 29: New Moon & Partial Solar Eclipse – at 6:40 AM in Long Island, with 30% coverage. Early risers, don’t miss it!
Be sure to check our website and email updates for planned club observing sessions, we’ll be keeping an eye on the forecasts for the best opportunities.
As always, I encourage you to bring your ideas, enthusiasm, and any questions to our meetings. AOS thrives because of the passion and participation of its members, and I’m looking forward to another great discussion this month.
Clear skies,
Jason Cousins
President, Amateur Observers Society of New York
