On the evening of March 24, Venus was obscured by the moon for a momentary simulation.

(Provided by Beishi Planetarium)

[Reporter Cai Yahua/Taipei Report] March is full of splendid astronomical phenomena. The vernal equinox of the zodiacal light and Ceres will be registered on the same day. The "moon occult Venus" rare sight in decades will be held on March 24 at 7:52 p.m. It can be seen with the naked eye. The Taipei Astronomical Science Education Center pointed out today that the next time you want to see the "moon occultation of Venus" after sunset, you will have to wait until May 31, 2063, 40 years later.

According to the planetarium, when the "moon occultation of Venus" occurs, the bright Venus will instantly disappear on the edge of the crescent moon within more than 10 seconds, which is as magical as a solar eclipse.

The frequency of "moon occultation of Venus" is not low, but most of them appear during the day and cannot be seen, or are rarely seen before dawn; in the past 100 years, there have been as many as 28 "moon occultations of Venus" in Taiwan, which occurred in There are 22 times during the day, including the last lunar occultation of Venus visible to the naked eye in 1974, all before dawn.

Please read on...

In addition to the lunar occultation of Venus, the planetarium pointed out that the first discovered asteroid in the solar system, the No. 1 asteroid "Ceres" will "oppose" on March 21, and the brightness will reach the highest in the days before and after this, about 7th magnitude. It's perfect timing.

Although it is within the visible range of binoculars, it is difficult to identify due to the large number of nearby stars of similar brightness. It is easier to find it with a simple camera and compare it with star maps.

The planetarium mentioned that March 21 is also the "spring equinox". On this day, the earth's day and night are almost equal in length. Every year, one month before and after the spring equinox is a good time to watch the "zodiacal light". It is the zodiacal light, but the "zodiacal light" is the faint light formed by the dust particles in the solar system scattering sunlight. It is easier to see it in a place without light pollution.

As the time comes to spring, the planetarium said that the cosmic theater in the museum will hold 2 free spring starry sky tours at 7:00 and 7:30 on weekends, leading the public to know the constellations in spring, and introducing the strange and interesting things in March. Welcome to visit the museum to enjoy the beautiful astronomical phenomenon. Please refer to the website of the planetarium for various information.