5 planets, moon visible on horizon for next month

March and April bring an exciting planetary lineup to the early evening skies that won't be repeated for 32 years. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and the moon will all be visible at the same time.

Not until April 2036 will there again be a more easily observed display of all five planets at dusk.

A public planet viewing will take place on the UA Mall on Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. ÷ 10 p.m. in front of the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium. Telescope viewing is free but donations are requested.

Also, Flandrau's newly upgraded 16-inch telescope will be available Wednesday through Saturday nights throughout spring for free public viewing of four of the five planets (Mercury is too low for viewing in the 16-inch telescope).

Donations are requested for observatory viewing, and the observatory is available for rental by private groups on request.

Information about the planets, the night sky and planetarium shows is available by calling 621-STAR (7827) or at the Flandrau Web site at flandrau.org.

Time for Desert Yearbook royalty nominations

The Desert Yearbook is back for the first time in seven years. Prior to The Desert's disappearance in 1997, the book had been a campus tradition since 1911.

Part of the tradition was the nomination of a Desert queen, the UA woman of the year. A Desert Queen hasn't been coronated since the 1960s.

The Desert is looking for undergrads who exemplify the qualities of the 2003-2004 UA student body, whether through their UA pride, community service on and off campus, hobbies or anything else that students find exemplary.

The only requirement for king and queen nominees is that they must have junior or senior class standing.

A plaque will be presented to the king and queen at a coronation ceremony, and the couple will have a special feature in this year's yearbook. Each will also receive a free dinner for two at a local restaurant.

Nominations are due Monday by 5 p.m. at the yearbook office, on the fourth floor of the Student Union Memorial Center in the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership.

A student panel that represents UA's diversity will review nominations. The panel will also be present during the interviews.

Nominees will be notified through e-mail whether they have received an interview by April 7. For more information, please contact The Desert Yearbook at 626-0351 or at desertyearbook.arizona.edu.