March 2025 Skywatching Tips
March 4, 2025
March 2025 for skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere. As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, the night sky presents a series of captivating events. Early March provides an excellent opportunity to spot the elusive planet Mercury. On March 8th, Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 18.2 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury, as it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just below bright Venus, about 30 minutes after sunset.
One of the most anticipated events of the month is the total lunar eclipse on the night of March 13th to 14th. During this event, the Moon will pass through Earth's shadow, turning a deep crimson color. The eclipse will be visible throughout North America, with the greatest eclipse occurring at 11:59 PM. This is a must-see event for skywatchers, as the next total lunar eclipse won't occur until 2028.
March is also a great time to observe other planets. Venus will be visible low in the west after sunset early in the month, but it quickly drops lower as the days pass. Mars can be found high in the east following sunset, setting around 3 AM. Jupiter will be visible high in the west after dark, setting about 1 AM. The new moon on March 29th is an excellent time for stargazing, as the night sky will be especially dark without moonlight interference.
The March equinox occurs on March 20th at 2:01 AM. This marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall in the Southern Hemisphere. During the equinox, the Sun shines directly on the equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. On March 8th, after spotting Mercury, turn towards the southwest to witness the conjunction of the Moon and Mars. The Moon will pass within 2 degrees of Mars, creating a stunning visual pairing in the night sky. This event, known as an appulse, is a great opportunity for skywatchers to observe these celestial bodies in close proximity. Learn more at NASA's What’s Up: March 2025 Skywatching Tips
The video above is intended for educational purposes and does not constitute or imply an endorsement by FutureForAll.org.
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