The constellations of spring

With the vernal equinox, the beginning of spring, coming next week now is a good time to start with the constellations of spring.

The first constellation of spring to come over the eastern horizon is the magnificent Leo the Lion.

Leo can be seen in the east after about 7 p.m. local time with its head pointing west and tail pointing east.

Leo is a large constellation, the most notable part of which is the backward sickle, or question mark, which marks its head and mane. Regulus (which means little king) is the brightest star in the constellation and is the point under the backward question mark.

The back end, or tail, of the lion is marked by a triangle of stars which contains the second brightest star of the constellation, Denebola. Strangely enough its name means, "Tail of the Lion."

Another way to find Leo is to locate Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, and use the two stars in the cup closest to the handle. Follow them down and they will lead you right to Leo.

Leo is a very ancient constellation, probably the second oldest. Numerous ancient civilizations had Leo in their skies. The Sumarians, Babylonians, Persians, Syrians, Greeks, and Romans all had some association with the king of constellations.

One notable object located in Leo right now is the planet Saturn. The ringed planet can be found about 10 degrees (about the width of your fist held at arms length) above (west) of Regulus. It is much brighter than Regulus and if you have a telescope it is a marvelous sight. Sometimes the rings can even be slightly glimpsed in binoculars, if you have a very dark viewing place.

SKY WATCH: I hope you had chance to view the partial eclipse last week. I was on the road but had an opportunity to stop and look east at moon rise to see the darkened upper half of the Moon's face. As the evening progressed the shadow retreated exposing more of the lunar surface.

If you missed it, mark your calendar for Aug. 28 when there will be another lunar eclipse. This will be an early morning event so probably only the most dedicated will observe it.

While not necessarily astronomical, don't forget to put your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday evening, March 10, for Daylight Savings Time. New Moon on Sunday, March 18. Venus rules the evening sky in the west after sunset and Saturn holds court in Leo in the east. Spring arrives officially on Tuesday, March 20, at 7:09 p.m. MDT.

That is when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator on its journey north and the days continue to get longer. Next Wednesday, March 21, look for a very slender crescent Moon below a glimmering planet Venus in the west after sunset.

Next time, Bootes, the Herdsman.