March 2025: Exciting Celestial Events for you to Explore
What’s in the Sky for March 2025
March 2025 is another promising and exciting month for sky watchers and astronomy enthusiasts alike. With a series of celestial events that we will explain there and some tips on how to enhance your stargazing experience.
Each celestial event provides a unique opportunity to observe the cosmos. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a beginner looking to explore the night sky, these highlights will surely captivate your interest. Make sure to check the weather forecast as clear skies are essential for optimal viewing. During Lunar events, you may also notice the moon’s surface details illuminated by Earthshine, which adds an extra layer of beauty to the scene. Remember to bring a star chart to identify the stars as they reappear after the moon has moved.
As Venus reaches its peak brightness, it’s a great opportunity to learn about its atmosphere and surface conditions. You can also capture the event with a time-lapse video to see how the brightness changes as the sun sets.
Set up your telescope to enjoy the details of Saturn’s rings, and consider using a smartphone adapter to take photos of the alignment. This event is perfect for both casual observers and photography enthusiasts.
Throughout the month, consider hosting a stargazing night with family and friends. Share your knowledge about the events and use apps to enhance the experience by identifying constellations and planets.
Mar 6th – First Quarter Moon, the next night look for “Rupes Recta” the Straight Wall in Mare Nublum
Mar 8th – Mercury at best evening elongation for 2025. Gibbous Moon Near Mars.
Evening Sky: Look for constellations like Orion, which contains some of the brightest stars in the sky. The Orion Nebula (M42) is an excellent target for amateur astronomers. When observed through a telescope, it reveals stunning colors and structures. Later in the evening look for Leo with it’s brightest star Regulus. Did you know that with a good telescope you can locate a Faint Dwarf Galaxy right next to this bright star! In Cancer (Between Gemini and Leo, look for the faint cluster of stars known as the Beehive Cluster.
Mar 13-14 – Full Moon Eclipse The Moon will pass through the shadow of the Earth in the early morning hours of March 14th. In Calgary (Mountain Time) the eclipse will start at 11:09 pm March 13th. Totality lasts 65 minutes. From start to finish the event will be 3 hours and 38 minutes
| Event: | Time in MDT (GMT – 6 hrs) |
| Penumbral Begins | 9:57 pm March 13th |
| Partial Begins | 11:09 pm March 13th |
| Total Begins | 12:26 am March 14th |
| Maximum Eclipse | 12:58 am March 14th |
| Total Ends | 1:31 am March 14th |
| Partial Ends | 2:47 am March 14th |
| Penumbral Ends | 4:00 am March 14th |
The following table shows Solar System/Lunar Events in March 2025: March will be filled with fascinating solar system events. Each event provides a unique opportunity to learn more about our solar neighborhood. Make sure to plan a few stargazing nights to catch these celestial wonders. Print this and hang it on your wall!
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| Good date for a Messier Marathon | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Lookout for Auroras , It's peak season near Equinoxes | First Qtr Moon | Try to observe the "Straight Wall"/"Rupes Recta" | Best Evening to see Mercury | |||
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Dayllight Savings time begins | !! Mercury near Venus next few nights (low at dusk) | Observe the Lunar Eclipse this evening, the Event starts before Mid-night in the West of the Americas | Full Moon - Lunar Eclipse Around midnite, so it will be a late night! In the east it will be in the early morning hours, | |||
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Zodiacal Light visible in the Western Evening Sky @ Sunset | Day and Night equal at 40degN | Moon at Last Quarter | ||||
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| New Moon - Partial Solar Eclipse (sunrise E.North America) | ||||||
| 30 | 31 | |||||
Deep Sky Highlights March 2025
This section will explore some of the most breathtaking deep sky objects you can observe in March 2025. From nebulae to star clusters, each object tells a story of the universe’s history and beauty. Make sure to have a good star map handy as you venture into the depths of the night sky.
For the best experience, consider visiting locations known for aurora viewing, such as national parks or remote areas with minimal light pollution. Bring warm clothing and snacks for a comfortable experience while you wait for the lights to appear.
Evening Sky
Additionally, consider engaging with fellow enthusiasts can be an excellent way to share experiences and get tips on the best viewing practices. Explore the many interesting open clusters of stars that populate the Milky Way in the constellations of Monoceros and Gemini. Also look for the Beehive Cluster at the Center of the Dim constellation of Cancer.
Use binoculars or a telescope to explore the galaxies or the March Sky, when the galaxies of spring present themselves for easier viewing. Brighter and more easily observed galaxies present themselves for easier viewing at this time.
Midnight Sky:
For late-night observers, the Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer is a must-see. It is one of the closest star clusters to Earth and consists of over a thousand stars. Look for it with the naked eye, and use binoculars to see individual stars.
M44 The Beehive Cluster in Cancer
Leo’s Triplet of Galaxies is another highlight for midnight observers. This trio of galaxies is located in the constellation Leo, and while they may appear faint, they offer a glimpse into the vast universe. Bring a star chart to help locate them easily.
As dawn approaches, the Virgo Supercluster is an impressive group of galaxies to explore. This vast collection of galaxies stretches across millions of light-years and can be studied in detail with a telescope.
M13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, is another midnight target. With a telescope, you can see thousands of stars packed closely together, creating a beautiful sight that highlights the beauty of the cosmos.
Morning Sky:
In the morning sky we can expect to see the summer triangle of Cygnus, Aquilla, and Lyra.
Aurora/Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are a spectacular natural light display that can occur during March 2025. While viewing opportunities may vary, it’s worth checking space weather reports for predictions of auroral activity. If conditions are right, find a dark location away from artificial lights and witness this breathtaking phenomenon.
Refer to our Astro-links page for detailed information on how to best prepare for aurora viewing and what equipment to bring.
Meteor Showers
While March 2025 does not feature any major meteor showers, it’s an excellent month to prepare for upcoming celestial events. Use this time to research and plan for future meteor shower nights, enhancing your knowledge of astronomy and observing techniques.
While we do not expect any major meteor showers in March 2025, this month serves as a perfect opportunity to reflect on the beauty of the night sky and enjoy the celestial events that do take place. Visit our post for March 2025 Meteor showers for more details on what to expect later this year.
Comets
Currently, there are no bright comets visible from mid-northern latitudes. However, this is a great time to educate yourself about comets and their orbits. Understanding their appearances can enhance your appreciation for these celestial bodies when they do arrive.
There are no bright comets for March 2025 that can be seen from Mid-Northern Latitudes. Visit our Astro-links page for information on Comets