UA News

Brilliant Venus, the brightest star-like object in the sky, is now near peak altitude and brilliance above the western horizon, and its crescent phase appears increasingly larger and thinner. 

Also, the ringed planet Saturn rises earlier and creeps higher above the eastern horizon. Its rings now appear razor thin, as we view them from Earth, and are now near the thinnest we can see them in the evening for years to come. On March 8, Saturn is at opposition, when it's opposite from the sun in the sky, close to its nearest to Earth and rising at sunset.

Join Flandrau Science Center for special free telescope viewing of these and other celestial objects in the Flandrau Observatory and on The University of Arizona Mall March 6 and 7, starting at 6 p.m. Venus will be too low to view by 8:15 p.m. This event is the second part of our UA Mall planet viewing events. Although viewing is free, donations are encouraged.