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for they'll help you to see the moon and Comet PANSTARRS in the glare of evening twilight.
• People in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres have now spotted the comet, but whether you will or not depends in part on the quality of your western sky after sunset. It's worth a try, for sure. Keep in mind that the moon and Comet PANSTARRS might not be as obvious in the real sky as on our sky chart. Also remember they will be low in the west as soon as the sun goes down. So get out there and see them before they follow the sun below the western horizon!
• As seen from much of North America, tonight's waxing crescent moon will be less than 30 hours old. In other words, the moon will make its first appearance in the March evening sky less than 30 hours after the moon turned new on March 11. You'll need a level horizon and crystal-clear skies to see the very thin lunar crescent in the west after sunset. If you spot it, look for the comet nearby.
• This little moon will be less than 2% illuminated in sunshine - a fragile and beautiful sight reminiscent of all new beginnings. And the comet … well, it'll be a comet! It has a fan-shaped tail, pointing away from the sun.
• There's a wonderful consolation prize, should you not catch the young moon and/or the comet after sunset. The dazzling planet Jupiter will appear high in the southern sky at dusk and nightfall. (From the Southern Hemisphere, Jupiter will appear in the northern sky.) Jupiter shines in front of the constellation Taurus the Bull, and they'll be out together till probably past your bedtime.
• But be a sport. Try to catch tonight's thin waxing crescent moon near Comet (Continued on page 12)
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