Welcome to the Spring Equinox

Today is the first day of spring. The actual equinox will occur at 13:02 Israel time. That is when the sun will cross the celestial equator from south to north, continuing its climb to higher in our sky each day, adding more warmth and minutes of daylight.


It is indeed a perfect spring day here in Israel. The sky is very clear, so maybe tonight will be a good chance to spot comet PanStarr, before it fades too much as it speeds away from the sun.

-AstroTom

Comet PanSTARRS

Hi Y'all,

Has anyone managed to spot the new comet yet?

Comet PanSTARRS has just moved from the southern hemisphere, to visibility in the northern hemisphere. The past 2 day where supposed to be ideal here as it passed by the new crescent Moon in our sky. Unfortunately the sky has been hazy and not very clear.

The comet is net very bright, and only visibly in twilight so it will be tricky. You will almost certainly need binoculars.As you see in the illustration above, each day PanSTARRS will be getting a little higher above the horizon and thus farther from the Sun's glare, but at the same time it is expected to get dimmer as it speeds away from the Sun on its orbit back to the edge of the solar system.

See more at - www.skyandtelescope.com/panstarrs

Let us know if you catch it!

-AstroTom 

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