Vernal equinox on March 21; 5 planets visible this month

Day will become as long as night again when the vernal equinox occurs on March 21, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. In its astronomical diary for March, PAGASA said the Sun reaches the First Point of Aries (Vernal Equinox) on this date, marking the start of spring in the north and autumn in the south. "The Sun reaches this point on March 21 (Vernal Equinox), marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere," PAGASA acting administrator Nathaniel Servando said. PAGASA also said five planets – Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars and Mercury – will be visible this month. At 5 a.m. Tuesday, it said Venus and the crescent Moon were found close to each other at about 17 and 19 degrees at the east southeastern horizon, respectively. Venus will be shining at magnitude -3.9 and will lie among the background stars of the constellation Sagittarius, the Water-Bearer and will be visible in the morning sky throughout the month. Uranus will be located at 12 degrees in the western horizon until it disappears from view in the middle of the month. "A star map and a binocular or a modest-sized telescope will be needed for its proper viewing," it said. On March 16, at around 6:30 p.m., Jupiter and Mercury will be found 10 degrees above the western horizon. The two planets will be at their closest approach of about 2 degrees in which Mercury will be slightly higher than Jupiter. Both will be shining at magnitude -2.1 and -1.4, respectively. "Jupiter continues to slide down in the western horizon and will disappear from the evening sky on the 29th of March, while Mercury remains low in the western horizon. Both planet will lie among the background stars of the constellation Pisces, the Fish," PAGASA said. At 10 p.m., Saturn will be found at about 24 degrees above the eastern horizon, and will be glowing at magnitude +0.4. It will be located among the background stars of the constellation Virgo, the Virgin. "Mars will be out of view in the sky due to its proximity to the Sun throughout the month," PAGASA said. — LBG, GMA News