The moon begins March in the waxing gibbous phase, meaning the lit portion is getting larger each passing day, “gibbous” meaning humped, like a camel's back. March 3, Jupiter shares the night sky with the moon, which is full March 5, and this is the smallest apparition of the year, as the moon is at apogee (furthest away in its orbit).
March 12, Saturn is just two degrees away. March 18, a very tough observation is Mercury next to the thin sliver of the moon, one day away from new phase. The moon completely disappears at new moon phase, but is positioned to cover the face of the sun on the morning of March 20 for a total solar eclipse. Unfortunately, one has to be near the Arctic Circle to view this eclipse. The Faroe Islands and Spitsbergen get the best views.
Mercury is best positioned for southern observers continuing to shine in the southeastern morning sky. Look for the speedy planet about 7 a.m. just before sunrise. Telescopic observers might like the challenge of seeing Neptune and Mercury together in the same eyepiece view March 17.
Venus in the western evening sky is in the middle of a three-planet lineup of Mars, Venus, and Uranus as the month opens. Using Venus as a guide, a good opportunity to view Uranus through binoculars is March 4, as the two planets are only a 10th of a degree apart. Venus climbs higher and higher throughout the month, and the months to come, to dazzle as the Evening Star.
Mars begins the month as part of the threesome mentioned above, and quickly passes Uranus, following behind Venus as it climbs higher in the evening sky. At the end of March, the lineup, much wider apart, becomes Uranus, Mars and Venus, giving a good example of planetary motion in real time. Mars is occulted by the moon for Antarctic viewers March 21.
Jupiter starts out with the near-full moon close by in the eastern evening sky. The giant planet is well placed for viewers through the evening, rising around sunset, just east of the Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux. By March 29, the moon will be right beside Jupiter for the second time in the month.
Saturn rises a little after midnight in the constellation Scorpius, and begins retrograde motion March 14. The Ringed Planet shares the sky with the waning gibbous moon March 12.
Uranus begins the month at the top of the evening trio and ends the month behind the sun. Observers near the equator from Brazil to Asia can see the moon occult Uranus March 21.
Neptune is a tough view, since it disappears into the sun’s glare as soon as it shows above the horizon. A telescope is needed in any event!
Daylight Saving Time begins for most of North America March 8, and the spring equinox occurs in mid-afternoon March 20.
Watch for the Zodiacal Light in the western evening twilight during the first half of March.
