An extremely rare event will take place shortly after 2 a.m. EDT on Thursday, March 20. An asteroid known as 163 Erigone will pass in front of the bright star Regulus in the constellation of Leo, causing the star to disappear.  A stellar occultation (pronounced “occ-kull-tay-shun”) occurs when the Moon, an asteroid or another planetary body eclipses a star, momentarily blocking its light.  This event will be visible along a 45-mile-wide path and is predicted to begin at 2:07 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  The asteroid’s shadow will move on a southeast-to-northwest path that will extend from New York City to Oswego in New York State and continue northwest into Ontario, Canada. For those in the center of this path, the star will remain invisible for 12 seconds.

Read more about the Occultation of Regulus.  If you’re up for it, help IOTA (International Occultation Timing Association, you already knew that, didn’t you?) by observing this rare event and reporting back!

First Quarter Moon, 4:31 a.m. One-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.

Mars at opposition. A body in space is at opposition when it sits 180° from the Sun in relationship to the Earth. This is the best time to view a planet.

Moon at apogee (its farthest point to the Earth), 11 a.m.

Mars closest to Earth – go check it out!

Last Quarter Moon, 3:52 a.m. One-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.

Moon at perigee (its closest point to the Earth), 8 p.m.