The International Space Station is passing over Irish skies each evening until March 19. This huge spacecraft is the largest and most expensive object ever put into orbit around Earth, and at the moment, there are six astronauts on board. In the sky, the ISS appears as a bright star-like object moving slowly across the Southern sky, before disappearing into the Earth's shadow. The sight only lasts for a couple of minutes, so be sure to watch at the right time! The times for when to see the ISS are available on the Internet, and if you want to receive predictions to your mobile phone a couple of hours before it passes, simply text SPACE to 57003 (reply STOP to unsubscribe). Each text costs 1euro, and only one message will be sent per day. Proceeds help to promote interest in astronomy across Ireland.

 

This weekend is an excellent opportunity to start watching out for the planets. Just after sunset, in the West, you will see Venus rest just above the horizon. Throughout the night, Mars is visible as a bright reddish 'star' high in the South. After around 9pm each night, the ringed planet Saturn begins to rise in the East. All three planets are excellent targets to view in binoculars or a telescope, as you will be able to see rings and moons, polar ice caps, and moon-like phases. More details about these planets are available in the Sky Diary of this month's issue of Astronomy & Space.

 

For advice on what equipment you should use for observing the planets, please call our team in the Astronomy Ireland Shop. Also, please send in your observations to observe@astronomy.ie so we can publish your sightings in our magazine, Astronomy & Space.