Astroblog

The Full Moon is Thursday April 2. Daylight savings ends on Sunday April 5. Venus climbs higher in the twilight. Jupiter dominates the northern sky. In the morning Mercury is in a excellent position to view well above the eastern horizon with are Mars below it. Comet C/2026 A1 may be visible in the western evening twilight from around April 6-7 (or it may completely fizzle out).

The Full Moon is Thursday April 2. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the Earth, on April 7.

Eastern horizon on the morning of Saturday, April 4 as seen from Adelaide at 6:36 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Mercury is visible with Mars below it low to the horizon.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Western sky on the evening of Saturday, April 4 as seen from Adelaide at 19:33 ACDST ( 30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is visible just above the western horizon, you will need a level, unobscured horizon to see it.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset).

Northern sky on Saturday, April 4 as seen from Adelaide at 20:30 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen). Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th, but will be bright for many months. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux.

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Western sky on the evening of Tuesday, April 7 as seen from Adelaide at 18:28 ACST ( 30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen). If it hasn't disintegrated, Comet C/2026 A1 may be visible low in the twilight.

Bright Venus will be your guide, the comet should be to the west and a bit below. The comets location is marked by a cross in the image.

As the twilight fades the comet and its tail may become more visible. As the days progress the comet gets higher, but it will also be dimming rapidly.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset).

Whole sky on Saturday, April 4 as seen from Adelaide at 20:40 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Jupiter is prominent in the north.

Bright Canopus and Sirius are near the Zenith. Orion is now in the north-western sky.

The Southern Cross is rising in the Southern sky. The moon is waning and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming easier to see.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury climbs higher in the morning twilight.

Venus climbs higher in the evening twilight.

Mars is low in the twilight below Mercury.

Jupiter is seen throughout the evening, setting after midnight. Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux.

Saturn is lost in the twilight

Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ACST, Western sky at 10 pm ACST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.

Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to the current time.

Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.

Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 6:24 pm 0 comments

The Full Moon is Thursday April 2. Venus climbs higher in the twilight. Jupiter dominates the northern sky. It forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. In the morning Mercury is in a excellent position to view well above the eastern horizon with Mars below it.

The Full Moon is Thursday April 2.

Eastern horizon on the morning of Saturday, March 28 as seen from Adelaide at 6:30 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Mercury is visible with Mars below it low to the horizon.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Western sky on the evening of Saturday, March 28 as seen from Adelaide at 19:41 ACDST ( 30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is visible just above the western horizon, you will need a level, unobscured horizon to see it.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset).

Northern sky on Saturday, March 28 as seen from Adelaide at 20:40 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen). Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th, but will be bright for many months. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux.

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Whole sky on Saturday, March 28 as seen from Adelaide at 20:40 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Jupiter is prominent in the north.

Bright Canopus and Sirius are near the Zenith. Orion is now in the north-western sky.

The Southern Cross is rising in the Southern sky. The moon is waxing and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming hard to see.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury climbs higher in the morning twilight.

Venus is low in the evening twilight.

Mars is low in the twilight below Mercury.

Jupiter is seen throughout the evening, setting after midnight. Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux.

Saturn is lost in the twilight

Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.

Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to the current time.

Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.

Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 4:58 pm 0 comments

https://www.sws.bom.gov.au/

After a series of disappointments where geomagnetic storms occurred after 2 am (after I had given up and gone to bed) or in the evening twilight, or in daytime there is a further chance of periods of G3 due to ongoing coronal hole effects.

While G1-G2 geomagnetic conditions are most likely, G3 may be possible for sustained southward solar wind parameter Bz. If this occurs there is a strong possibility of aurora.

The Moon is in still in crescent phase and although setting around 10 pm it will not significantly interfere with seeing aurora in the evening and early morning. Keep an eye out and be patient, as the magnetic polarity of the wind fluctuates significantly and aurora may come and go.

As of now the solar wind conditions are
Solar Wind Parameters Used:
Date: 23 03 2026 0453 UT
Velocity: 694 km/sec
Bz: 2.0 nT
Density = 2.0 p/cc

Calculated Information from Solar wind parameters:
Magnetopause Stand Off Distance = 11.8Re
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure Dp = 0.80nPa

_____________________________________________________________
INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL HOLE HIGH SPEED WIND STREAM
FROM 22-24 MARCH 2026
_____________________________________________________________
GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
22 Mar: G2-G3
23 Mar: G1-G2, chance G3
24 Mar: G1-G2, chance G3

*****************************************************************************

Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing anything, and always allow around 5 minutes for your eyes to become dark adapted.

As always look to the south for shifting red/green glows, mostly green at the moment.

Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky. https://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/index.html
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 6:25 pm 0 comments

https://www.sws.bom.gov.au/

A minor geomagnetic storm (G1) with a Kindex of 5 is currently ongoing. And yes, it's daylight.

If this storm persists and strengthens (there is a prediction of G3 major storm levels), there is a strong possibility of aurora.

As I wrote before, the Moon is in crescent phase and will not interfere with seeing aurora in the evening and early morning. Keep an eye out and be patient, as the magnetic polarity of the wind fluctuates significantly and aurora may come and go.

As of now the solar wind conditions are:
Solar Wind Parameters Used:
Date: 21 03 2026 0601 UT
Velocity: 452 km/sec
Bz: -3.0 nT
Density = 8.0 p/cc

Calculated Information from Solar wind parameters:
Magnetopause Stand Off Distance = 10.6Re
Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure Dp = 1.36nPa
**********************************************************************************

G1 (MINOR) GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE IN PROGRESS (K OF 5 REACHED)
PRELIMINARY AUSTRALIAN REGION K INDICES FOR 20 03 26: 2334 3345

GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
21 Mar:  G2-G3
22 Mar:  G1-G2
23 Mar:  G0-G2

*****************************************************************************

Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing anything, and always allow around 5 minutes for your eyes to become dark adapted.

As always look to the south for shifting red/green glows, mostly green at the moment.

Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky. https://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/index.html
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/

Cheers! Ian
ianfmusgrave@gmail.com
Astroblog: https://astroblogger.blogspot.com

Labels: aurora

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 5:12 pm 0 comments

Image from the BOM space weather site.

Two CME arrivals are happening in the coming days. The first CME is associated with the M2.7 flare on 16-Mar which is expected to arrive at 19/1800UT +/ 12 hours (that's either early morning on the 20th or very late on the 19th in Australia).

The second CME is associated with another M2.7 flare on 18-Mar and is expected to arrive at 20/1700UT +/- 12 hours.

In addition, solar wind 27 day recurrent patterns suggest coronal hole wind streams are likely to increase the solar wind speed over 21-23 March.

Some recent storms occurred during daylight hours in Austral, but lets hope we are lucky with night arrivals as this time as conditions are good.

If storms eventuate, visible aurora may be seen in Tasmania and possibly southern parts of Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia during local night hours.

The Moon is in crescent phase and will not interfere with seeing aurora in the evening and early morning. Keep an eye out and be patient, as the magnetic polarity of the wind fluctuates significantly and aurora may come and go.

Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing anything, and always allow around 5 minutes for your eyes to become dark adapted.

As always look to the south for shifting red/green glows, mostly green at the moment.

Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky. https://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/index.html
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
_____________________________________________________________

INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
FROM 19-23 MARCH 2026
_____________________________________________________________
GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
19 Mar: Initially G0, then G1-G2
20 Mar: G1-G2 (minor to moderate)
21 Mar: G1-G2 (minor to moderate)
22 Mar: G0-G1 (minor to moderate)

Labels: aurora

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 10:13 pm 0 comments

The First Quarter Moon is Thursday March 26. Earth is is at its autumnal equinox on the 21st.Venus begins to emerge from the twilight and is near the thin crescent moon on the 20th and 21st.. Jupiter dominates the northern sky. It forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. On the 26th Jupiter is close to the First Quarter Moon. In the morning Mars and Mercury are visible low to the horizon.

The First Quarter Moon is Thursday March 26. Earth is is at its autumnal equinox on the 21st. The Moon is at perigee (when it is closest to Earth) on the 22nd.

Eastern horizon on the morning of Saturday, March 21 as seen from Adelaide at 6:40 ACDST (45 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Mars and Mercury are visible low to the horizon.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (45 minutes before sunrise).

Western sky on the evening of Saturday, March 21as seen from Adelaide at 19:51 ACDST ( 30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is visible just above the western horizon, you will need a level, unobscured horizon to see it. The thin crescent Moon is nearby.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset).

Northern sky on Thursday, March 26 as seen from Adelaide at 20:43 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen). Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th, but will be bright for many months. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. Jupiter is close to the First Quarter Moon.

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Whole sky on Saturday, March 14 as seen from Adelaide at 20:50 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Jupiter is prominent in the north.

Bright Canopus and Sirius are near the Zenith. Orion is now in the north-western sky.

The Southern Cross is rising in the Southern sky. The moon is waxing and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming hard to see.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury returns to the morning twilight.

Venus returns to the evening twilight. The thin crescent Moon is nearby on the 20th and 21st

Mars is low in the twilight below Mercury.

Jupiter is seen throughout the evening, setting after midnight. Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. Jupiter is close to the First Quarter Moon on the 26th.

Saturn is lost in the twilight

Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.

Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to the current time.

Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.

Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 9:04 pm 0 comments

The New Moon is Thursday March 19. Venus begins to emerge from the twilight. Jupiter dominates the northern sky. It forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. Uranus can be seen in binoculars above the Pleiades cluster. The variable star Mira may be visible in the evening. In the morning Mars, Mercury and the crescent moon are visible low to the horizon.

The New Moon is Thursday March 19.

Eastern horizon on the morning of Wednesday, March 18 as seen from Adelaide at 6:37 ACDST (45 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Mars, Mercury and the thin crescent moon form a triangle low to the horizon. You may need binoculars to see Mercury and Mars.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (45 minutes before sunrise).

Western sky on the evening of Thursday, March 19 as seen from Adelaide at 19:54 ACDST ( 30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is visible just above the western horizon, you will need a level, unobscured horizon to see it.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset).

North-western sky on the evening of Saturday, March 14 as seen from Adelaide at 21:01 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

The planet Uranus is theoretically visible to the unaided eye from Dark sky locations, as it is magnitude 5.8, but it is best seen with binoculars. The beautiful and obvious Pleiades cluster is the signpost to the faint planet. The waxing moon will make seeing Uranus more difficult.

The variable star Mira is magnitude 3.5 and should be unaided eye visible, however you may still need binoculars to identify it (the barred circle in the image) especially as it is coming closer to the horizon.

The inset is the binocular view of Mira and the guide stars.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time ( 90 minutes after sunset).

Northern sky on Saturday, March 14 as seen from Adelaide at 21:01 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen). Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th, but will be bright for many months. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux.

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Whole sky on Saturday, March 14 as seen from Adelaide at 21:01 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Jupiter is prominent in the north.

Bright Canopus and Sirius are near the Zenith. Orion is now high in the north-western sky.

The Southern Cross is rising in the Southern sky. The moon is new and the fainter clusters and nebula are easier to see.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury returns to the morning twilight.

Venus returns to the evening twilight.

Mars is low in the twilight below Mercury.

Jupiter climbs in the morning twilight and is now rising before astronomical twilight. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on January the 10th.

Saturn is lost in the twilight

Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.

Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to the current time.

Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.

Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 12:37 am 0 comments