March 3: Blood Moon
This year’s March Full Moon is especially notable because it coincides with a total lunar eclipse. During a total lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow gradually moves across the Full Moon, causing it to darken and take on a warm, coppery glow—often called a “Blood Moon.” This color change happens slowly and can be safely watched with the naked eye. This lunar eclipse will be visible across North America. The Moon will enter the penumbra at 1:44 a.m. MST and the umbra at 2:50 a.m. MST. The Moon will leave the umbra at 6:17 a.m. MST and the penumbra at 7:23 a.m. MST.
Images courtesy of NASA
March 8: Venus near Saturn
On March 8, Venus and Saturn will appear close together in the evening sky, low above the western horizon. The distance between them will be roughly equal to the width of an index finger held at arm’s length. Venus will shine brightly at magnitude –3.8. Saturn, shining at magnitude 1.0, will also be easily visible. Both planets can be spotted with the naked eye, making this conjunction a great target for casual skywatchers.
Image courtesy of JPL
March 20: Spring equinox
In 2026, the March equinox happens on March 20 at 8:46 a.m. MDT. This falls on a Friday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox (also called the March equinox or vernal equinox across the globe) occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator going south to north. It’s called the celestial equator because it’s an imaginary line in the sky above Earth’s equator. Imagine standing on the equator; the Sun would pass directly overhead on its way north. On the March equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere receive roughly equal amounts of sunlight; neither hemisphere is tilted more toward or away from the Sun than the other.
Image courtesy of Old Farmer's Alamanac
Report abuse