Ephemeris: 02/27/2025 – The spring constellations are rising
This is Ephemeris for Thursday, February 27th. Today the Sun will be up for 11 hours and 5 minutes, setting at 6:28, and it will rise tomorrow at 7:21. The Moon is new today, and won’t be visible.
Today, we are exactly 3 weeks from the start of spring. The temperatures this week are rising. Even though at 8:00 PM Orion is high in the south, looking off to the east the spring constellation of Leo the lion has risen, and the Big Dipper is standing on its handle in the northeast. To the Anishinaabe native peoples of this area the Big Dipper is part of Ojiig, the Fisher, who brought summer to the Earth and when he’s in this position in the northeastern skies standing on his tail it is a sign of the spring to come and the start of the maple sugaring season. This next week or so is especially the best time, all year, to see the planet Mercury in the evening twilight due west, shortly after sunset. Its greatest separation from the Sun will come March 8th.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EST, UT – 5 hours). Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 
Hi Bob, Would you mind if I quote from your blog post below about the Anishinaabe, the Big Dipper and maple sugaring? I would of course give credit to you and your Ephemeris blog/WIAA program. I publish a free community newspaper (much like the Glen Arbor Sun) for Manistee and Mason counties, and we’ll have a story about dark skies in the March issue. Thank you, Par Stinson https://freshwater-reporter.com
Hi Pat, A reply was sent to your website.
Thanks, Bob!
Ms. Pat Stinson, Word Wrangler 231-835-0867, stinsonpat56@gmail.com stinsonpat@gmail.com