9 night sky events to see in March, from a blood moon lunar eclipse to a planetary parade
A blood red moon anchors a month of planetary meetups, dark-sky delights, and improved chances to catch the northern lights around the spring equinox.
March brings one of North America’s most buzzed-about astronomical events—a total lunar eclipse, which is visible across the U.S. But the eclipse is only the beginning. The month’s interstellar wonder continues with planet conjunctions, above-average aurora borealis odds, and increased Milky Way core visibility.
Here are nine night-sky marvels to watch for this March, including when and where to look.
Planet parade—March 1
If you missed the six-planet parade in late February, there’s still a chance to spot it in early March. Look west just after sunset to spot Mercury, Venus, and Saturn glowing low along the horizon. Jupiter will simultaneously hang high in the southeast sky. While Neptune and Uranus are above the horizon, you’ll need strong binoculars or a telescope to view them. Neptune, especially, will be tricky to spy since it sets soon after the sun—and on that note, remember: never point optical aids west until the sun has set.
Total lunar eclipse—March 3
All eyes will point skyward in the early morning hours of March 3. The sight—a total lunar eclipse—will turn the full worm moon a haunting tangerine hue. The mechanics of a total lunar eclipse trigger this blood moon effect. During the event, Earth slides between the sun and the moon. The moon enters our shadow, known as the umbra, and scatters shorter wavelengths of light. The longer red wavelengths pass through, creating that orange glow.
(A ‘blood moon’ total lunar eclipse is coming—here’s when to watch.)
Stargazers in all 50 states can admire this one, although west coasters will have the best view. On the East Coast, the eclipse occurs soon before the moon sets. That means you’ll need a perch with clear views west to watch the blood moon meet the horizon. On the west coast, the eclipse takes place earlier in the morning, well before moonset. It will appear higher in the sky, with a full view from partial eclipse to totality, then back to partial eclipse.
Venus-Saturn conjunction—March 7-8
Venus and Saturn will approach each other, getting tight enough to spot through a pair of binoculars, on the evenings of March 7 and 8. Watch the conjunction just above the west horizon, where the duo will remain visible for around 45 minutes after sunset. The planets are tightest on the nights of March 7 and 8, but they’re noticeably close in the nights leading up to and following the conjunction, too.
New moon and zodiacal light—March 19
This month’s new moon hits on March 19. This decrease in lunar light provides stellar stargazing conditions, especially for those seeking deep-space objects like the Beehive Cluster. Mid-March is also a good time to observe the zodiacal light, a subtle pyramid of light above the horizon that forms when sunlight scatters through dust in our inner solar system. It’s visible until May, but most prominent near the equinox, and under dark skies—like those around a new moon. Watch for it in the western sky when twilight begins, around an hour and a half after sunset.
(A strange triangle of light appears in late winter skies. Here’s what causes it.)
Spring equinox—March 20
It’s officially spring in the northern hemisphere at 10:46 a.m. ET on March 20. The equinox, which marks fall in the southern hemisphere, brings more than the change of seasons. It’s often a time with elevated northern lights activity due to the orientation of Earth’s poles around the equinox. Chase the swirls in northern lights destinations like Alaska, known for its relatively clear March skies. That said, this bump in space weather could also bring the lights further south, to lower-48 aurora-viewing areas like the Great Lakes.
Moon nears Pleiades—March 22
The thin crescent moon will travel near Pleiades, one of the brightest star clusters in the night sky. To watch the pair, look to the western sky as soon as twilight descends (around 60 to 90 minutes after sunset). Catch bright-but-fleeting Venus above the west horizon, too.
Jupiter-moon meetup—March 26-27
Jupiter and the gibbous moon will transit close in the southwest sky, near Orion, on the nights of March 26 and 27. The orbs will move together from sundown until the pre-dawn hours. Head out around sunset to catch low-to-the-horizon Venus in alignment before it sets.
Lunar occultation of Regulus—March 29
The moon and bright star Regulus will meet up overnight from March 29 to 30. Sky-watchers in parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe will enjoy a lunar occultation, where the moon crosses directly in front of the star. Those in the U.S. won’t see the full occultation, but American stargazers can watch as the duo journeys through the sky all night.
Milky Way core visibility—All month
The Milky Way’s bright, dynamic core is increasingly visible in the pre-dawn hours this month. The galactic center rises in the southeast, then appears in an arc above the south horizon before sunrise. For the best view, head to a dark-sky destination far from light pollution, such as the Grand Canyon or Canyonlands National Parks.
(10 weird things you (probably) didn't know about the Milky Way.)
