Observing Calendar for February 9th to March 8th 2010 by Steve Woodbridge

Observing Calendar

February 9th to March 8th 2010 (all times GMT)

by Steve Woodbridge

Date
February 10th	Syrtis Major (the most prominent marking on Mars) on the central meridian at midnight. Mars is currently at its most prominent for 2 years and although its disc is only around 13-14” arc in diameter you should be able to see a few markings and the polar cap well even in a small telescopae (see my sketch below). Why not watch as the markings appear to be in the same place around 40 minutes early each day?
February 14th	New Moon. Late winter/early spring is a good time to watch the new moon wax, as the moon is high in the sky at first quarter.
February 20th	Moon sets after midnight. A good time to catch the late winter and early spring deep sky objects.
February 20th	Neptune in conjunction with the sun. Neptune is invisible this period.
February 22nd	Regulus culminates at midnight. Leo is a majestic constellation of late winter and early spring. It has a number of fine deep-sky objects. What is your favourite? Is it the bright pair of 9th magnitude galaxies M65 and M66 (I am always surprised that I seem to be able to pick these galaxies out with 10×50 binoculars – are they particular high in surface brightness?) or what about the beautiful orange and yellow double Algeiba (gamma).
February 28th	Jupiter in conjunction with the sun. Jupiter is invisible this period. Uranus, Venus and Mercury are all also extremely difficult this month.
February 28th	Full Moon.
March 5th	Moon rises after midnight meaning dark evening skies again.
March 6th	Saturn rises at dusk, so become increasingly a good evening object. Saturn’s equatorial diameter is 19.5” and its polar diameter 17.5”, with the rings 44.2” x 2.8” at a narrow tilt of 3.7°. Can you spot some of the brighter moons (Titan, Rhea, and Dione)?.