3/01/2025 - Stargazing in March: A Guide to the Night Sky

Stargazing in March: A Guide to the Night Sky

March is an exciting time for stargazing! As winter fades and spring begins, the night sky offers a spectacular view of planets, constellations, and even deep-sky objects. Whether you're using a telescope, binoculars, or just your eyes, there’s plenty to see this month.

The Moon and Its Phases

The Moon is one of the easiest celestial objects to observe. In March 2025, the Moon will go through the following phases:

• New Moon – March 10 (Best time for stargazing, as the sky is darkest)

• First Quarter – March 17

• Full Moon – March 25 (Also a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse! More on that below)

• Last Quarter – March 31

A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs on March 25. During this event, the Moon passes through Earth's outer shadow (penumbra), creating a subtle dimming effect. It’s not as dramatic as a total lunar eclipse, but still worth checking out!

Planets to Look For

Several planets are visible this month, making for great observing opportunities.

Jupiter

• Visible in the early evening in the southwestern sky.

• The largest planet in our solar system looks fantastic through binoculars or a telescope. You can even see its four largest moons!

Saturn

• It’s too close to the Sun to be easily visible this month but will reappear in the morning sky by late March.

Mars

• Visible in the pre-dawn sky.

• Look for its reddish color.

Venus

• Brilliant morning planet in the eastern sky before sunrise.

• It outshines all other planets and is often called the Morning Star.

Mercury

• Best seen around mid-March just after sunset, low in the western sky.

The Galactic Core Becomes Visible

One of the most exciting things about March is that the Galactic Core of the Milky Way starts becoming more visible in the southern horizon during the early morning hours.

• The Galactic Core is the densest and brightest region of our Milky Way galaxy.

• Best seen after midnight and before dawn, especially from dark-sky locations.

• The constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius begin to rise, marking the area where the core is located.

• This is a great time for astrophotography, as the Milky Way’s bright core provides a stunning subject.

Constellations of March

March is a transition month where you can see both winter and spring constellations.

Winter Constellations (Visible Early in the Evening)

• Orion the Hunter – One of the easiest constellations to find, with its famous Orion’s Belt.

• Taurus the Bull – Contains the bright star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster (the Seven Sisters).

• Canis Major – Home to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.

Spring Constellations (Best Seen Later at Night)

• Leo the Lion – Look for the bright star Regulus.

• Virgo the Maiden – Contains Spica, a bright blue star.

• Bootes the Herdsman – Home to Arcturus, a bright orange star that rises in the east late at night.

Deep-Sky Objects to Observe

March offers some great nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies for telescope users.

• Orion Nebula (M42) – A bright nebula in Orion, visible even with binoculars.

• Pleiades (M45) – A beautiful open star cluster in Taurus.

• Beehive Cluster (M44) – A star cluster in Cancer, visible with binoculars.

• Andromeda Galaxy (M31) – The closest large galaxy to Earth, best viewed early in the night.

• Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) – One of the largest and brightest globular clusters, visible in the southern sky later in the night.

Special Astronomical Events in March 2025

📅 March 20 – Spring Equinox

• This marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

• On this day, the length of day and night are nearly equal worldwide.

📅 March 25 – Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

• This type of eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth's outer shadow.

• The effect is subtle, with a slight dimming of the Moon’s surface.

Tips for Stargazing

• Find a dark location away from city lights.

• Use a star chart or a stargazing app (like Stellarium or SkyView) to help locate objects.

• Dress warmly, as March nights can still be chilly.

• Use binoculars or a small telescope to see more details of planets and deep-sky objects.

• For the Milky Way's Galactic Core, aim for the southern horizon around 2-4 AM.

March is a great time to explore the night sky as winter constellations set and spring ones rise. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned stargazer, there’s always something amazing to see!

Happy stargazing! 🌌✨