March 20 Spring Equinox Sunset Watch — 2017
It’s time for the 32nd seasonal sunset watch!
- When: Monday, March 20 at 7:10pm (so come at 6:45pm)
- Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:23pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
- The equinox moment is Monday, March 20 at 3:29am
- Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
- Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!
If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:
Sun and Moon Data for One Day
Equinox Moment (Seattle): Monday, March 20, 3:29am
Equinox Moment (UTC):Mar 20 10 29U.S. Naval Observatory
Astronomical Applications DepartmentSeattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)
Monday, March 20, 2017 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 6:41 a.m.
Sunrise 7:11 a.m.
Sun transit 1:17 p.m.
Sunset 7:23 p.m.
End civil twilight 7:53 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 2:32 a.m.
Moon transit 7:13 a.m.
Moonset 11:54 a.m.
Phase of the Moon on March 20, 2017: Last Quarter at 8:58 a.m. (local daylight time)
This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!
Everyone is welcome, see you there!
~ A l i c e !
Hope ya all have a good time . I’m in Canada and will try to get high enough to see Sun Set. Love the spring and this beautiful day. Cheers