The star El Nath stands close to the lower right of the Moon this evening. It forms the tip of one of the horns of Taurus, the bull, so it’s nicknamed “the butting one.” The bright orange planet Mars is a little farther to the upper left of the Moon.
Weekly Stargazing Tips
Provided by StarDate.org. Unless otherwise specified, viewing times are local time regardless of time zone, and are good for the entire Lower 48 states (and, generally, for Alaska and Hawaii).
March 27: Moon, El Nath, and Mars
March 28: Moon and Mars
The planet Mars is well up in the west-southwest at nightfall. It looks like a bright orange star. Tonight, it’s below the first-quarter Moon, and leads the Moon down the western sky.
March 29: Venus and Uranus
The planet Uranus stands close to Venus, the Evening Star, the next couple of nights. It’s easily visible through binoculars. It looks like a faint green star. It’s to the upper left of Venus tonight, and about the same distance to the lower left of Venus tomorrow night.
March 30: Crater
The constellation Crater, the cup, is in the southeastern sky in early evening. Its stars are faint, so you need dark skies to find it. To ancient European cultures, Crater represented the birthplace of storms.
March 31: Winter Circle
Spring has already sprung, but a great pattern of stars named for winter still dominates the western evening sky. The Winter Circle includes some of the most prominent stars of all, including Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
April 1: Moon and Regulus
Look for Regulus near the Moon the next couple of nights. The bright heart of Leo, the lion, stands below the Moon tonight, and to the upper right of the Moon tomorrow night.
April 2: Evening Mercury
The planet Mercury will be in good view in the early evening for a while, low in the west as twilight fades. It looks like a bright star, far below much brighter Venus, the brilliant Evening Star.