The Irish night sky in March is a beautiful spectacle to behold. The clear skies, combined with the right location, can offer a breathtaking view of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects. As the winter months come to an end and spring begins to take hold, the night sky in Ireland transforms into a stunning display of the wonders of the universe. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what you can expect to see in the Irish night sky in March.
The Moon
One of the most prominent objects in the Irish night sky in March is the moon. In the early part of the month, you can expect to see a full moon, which will provide an incredible backdrop for the other celestial objects. As the month progresses, the moon will start to wane, and by the end of the month, it will be a thin crescent, providing a fantastic opportunity for stargazers to observe the night sky in greater detail.
Constellations
The Irish night sky in March is also home to several constellations, including Orion, Taurus, and Canis Major. Orion, one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky, is visible in the early part of the night and features the three stars that make up the “belt” of the hunter. Taurus, the bull, is also visible in the night sky and is home to the bright star Aldebaran. Canis Major, the great dog, is also visible in the night sky and is home to the brightest star in the sky, Sirius.
Meteor Showers
March is also the time of year when two meteor showers, the Lyrids and the Pi Puppids, are visible in the Irish night sky. The Lyrids meteor shower, which peaks on the night of March 22nd, is one of the oldest meteor showers on record and can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. The Pi Puppids meteor shower, which peaks on the night of March 27th, is a lesser-known meteor shower that can produce up to 5 meteors per hour at its peak.
Planets
In addition to the moon and constellations, the Irish night sky in March is also home to several planets, including Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. Saturn, the sixth planet from the sun, is visible in the night sky and is easily recognizable by its distinctive yellowish-white colour and its prominent rings. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is also visible in the night sky and is easily recognizable by its bright yellowish-white colour. Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, is also visible in the night sky and is easily recognizable by its reddish-orange colour.
Conclusion
The Irish night sky in March is a stunning display of the wonders of the universe. With the full moon, constellations, meteor showers, and planets all visible, it’s a fantastic time of year for stargazers to observe the night sky. So, grab a blanket, find a clear and dark location, and prepare to be mesmerised by the beauty of the Irish night sky in March.