This is a complete guide to the night sky in March 2025 for both hemispheres. Use the free astronomy app Sky Tonight for detailed information on sky objects for your exact location.

Contents

All celestial events in March 2025

The event dates given further are in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), and the exact dates vary for different locations. To find out the time and date of the event for your location, use Sky Tonight.

*The highlighted events are the outstanding events of the month.

March Moon phases 2025

Here are the exact dates and times for the key lunar phases in March 2025:

• First Quarter Moon: March 6, 16:32 GMT (11:32 a.m. EST)
• Full Moon: March 14, 06:55 GMT (2:55 a.m. EDT)
• Last Quarter Moon: March 22, 11:30 GMT (7:30 a.m. EDT)
• New Moon: March 29, 10:58 GMT (6:58 a.m. EDT)

Planets in March 2025

At the beginning of March, you can catch all the planets aligned in the evening sky! For the best viewing tips, check out our dedicated article. Here, we explore the planets’ visibility throughout the month.

Planets visible in the Northern Hemisphere – March 2025

Mercury (Pisces, mag -1.0 to 3.5): Best evening apparition of the year, visible low in the west for about an hour in early and mid-March. Reaches maximum elongation on March 8 before transitioning to the morning sky after inferior conjunction on March 24. Its morning visibility will be poor due to its low position above the horizon.

Venus (Pisces, mag -4.7 to -4.2): Bright in the western evening sky, gradually moving toward the Sun. Reaches inferior conjunction on March 23 and may briefly be visible both before sunrise and after sunset mid-month. By the end of March, it appears low on the eastern horizon in the morning sky.

Mars (Gemini, mag -0.3 to 0.4): Visible all night, slowly dimming and shrinking in visual size. Remains a prominent reddish object in the evening sky through spring.

Jupiter (Taurus, mag -2.0): Easily seen in the evening sky, gradually shifting closer to the Sun. A great target for observations until late spring.

Saturn (Aquarius, mag 1.1 to 1.2): Lost in the Sun’s glare as it nears the solar conjunction on March 12. The Saturn ring-plane crossing occurs on March 23, but the planet is hidden from view. By late March, it begins to emerge in the morning sky.

Uranus (Taurus, mag 5.8): Visible in the evening with binoculars or a small telescope. Best observed early at night when the sky is already dark.

Neptune (Pisces, mag 8.0): Low in the western sky early in March before fading into the Sun’s glare. Reaches solar conjunction on March 19 and becomes unobservable for the rest of the month.

Planets visible in the Southern Hemisphere – March 2025

Mercury (Pisces, mag -1.0 to 3.5): Visible low on the western horizon in the evening at the beginning of the month, setting shortly after sunset. Reaches maximum elongation on March 8 before transitioning to the morning sky after inferior conjunction on March 24. Its morning visibility will be poor due to its low position above the horizon.

Venus (Pisces, mag -4.7 to -4.2): Low in the western evening sky as it approaches inferior conjunction on March 23. By late March, it transitions to the morning sky, appearing low on the eastern horizon.

Mars (Gemini, mag -0.3 to 0.4): Bright and easily visible in the evening and nighttime sky, remaining prominent throughout the month.

Saturn (Aquarius, mag 1.1 to 1.2): Lost in the Sun’s glare as it approaches solar conjunction on March 12. The ring-plane crossing occurs on March 23, but Saturn is invisible. Begins to reappear in the morning sky by the end of March, very low on the eastern horizon at dawn.

Jupiter (Taurus, mag -2.0): Shining in the northwestern evening sky, gradually moving closer to the Sun but still a great target for observation.

Uranus (Taurus, mag 5.8): Best observed in the early evening on the northwestern horizon; visible with binoculars or a small telescope.

Neptune (Pisces, mag 8.0): Low in the western sky at the start of March before gradually disappearing into the Sun’s glare. Reaches solar conjunction on March 19, making it unobservable for the rest of the month.

Mercury going retrograde on March 14

On March 14, Mercury will switch from its prograde motion to retrograde motion. The planet will begin to move backward in the sky, from east to west. Don’t worry — this won’t disrupt your life! And the change isn’t immediately noticeable — you’d need to track Mercury’s position over several weeks to see its shift in direction. Want an easier way to visualize it? Use the Sky Tonight app: just tap on Mercury on the sky map, tap the small white camera icon, and create a curve showing the planet’s motion over the weeks.

Read more: Retrograde motion explained

Dual visibility of Venus around March 18-21

Venus is called the “evening star” and the “morning star,” depending on when it appears. But this March, something rare will happen! Around its inferior conjunction with the Sun on March 23, Venus will be visible in both the morning and evening skies for a few days in the Northern Hemisphere. This is a rare event, next time it will occur only in 2033.

This happens because this inferior conjunction of Venus coincides with the moment when its ecliptic latitude is very high, up to 8.4° north. It means that Venus isn’t perfectly in line with the Sun, but slightly above it, as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. As a result, at mid and northern latitudes, Venus will appear both after sunset and before sunrise for a few days (from around March 18 to 21). In some Arctic regions, where the Sun doesn’t rise at all, Venus might briefly appear and disappear without the Sun ever coming into view.

In addition, in late March in the Northern Hemisphere, the ecliptic makes a steep angle with the horizon in the evening and sits low down in the morning. In other words, the Sun sets quickly in the evening and rises slowly in the morning. Because of this arrangement, Venus is still visible in the evening sky just before the inferior conjunction and begins to be visible in the morning sky as well a few days before the conjunction.

Observing Venus near inferior conjunction is particularly interesting if you have a telescope. At this time, the planet has the largest visible size, because it is closest to the Earth, but its illumination is minimal — literally fractions of a percent. However, be extremely careful when watching the planet near the Sun.

Want to make sure that you’ll experience Venus dual visibility in your location? Just open Sky Tonight, find Venus, and use the Time Machine feature to track the planet’s motion around March 18-21. If the planet stays above the horizon for at least 30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset, you might be able to catch this rare sight! Venus is so bright that it’s visible even in the first light of dawn.

Read more: Venus: The Brightest Planet

Saturn ring-plane crossing on March 23

On March 23, Saturn’s iconic rings will appear to vanish! This phenomenon, known as a ring-plane crossing, occurs when Saturn’s tilt toward Earth places the rings edge-on from our vantage point, so they become nearly invisible. This is what will happen on March 23. Unfortunately, this rare event will go unseen, as Saturn will be located too close to the Sun to be observed.

Later this year, on November 23, Saturn’s rings will appear almost edge-on again — this time Saturn will be well-placed in the sky, offering a much better chance for observations.

Read more: Saturn: The Ringed Planet

Constellations in March

In March, the zodiacal constellations Leo, Cancer, Gemini, and Taurus are easily visible in both hemispheres. The iconic Orion and Canis Major constellations also dominate the sky. In addition to them, in the Northern Hemisphere you can spot Auriga and Perseus, while in the Southern Hemisphere, you might want to take a look at Eridanus and Hydra rising high overhead. Read our special article to learn more about the constellations to observe in March!

Top solar events in March 2025

Partial solar eclipse on March 29

On March 29, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will take place. During this eclipse, the Moon will partially cover the Sun, with the maximum coverage reaching 94%. The event will be visible from northeastern North America, Europe, northwestern Africa, and northwestern Russia. Note that the Sun will not be completely obscured, so proper solar filters or eclipse glasses are required for safe viewing.

The eclipse will begin at 08:50 GMT, reach its maximum at 10:59 GMT, and end by 12:43 GMT. To check if the eclipse is visible in your location and get the exact timing, use the Sky Tonight app.

Read more: Partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025

March equinox on March 20: first day of spring or fall

The March equinox in 2025 will occur on March 20 at 09:01 GMT, marking the moment when neither of the Earth’s hemispheres is inclined towards or away from the Sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, it signals the first day of spring, bringing longer days and warmer weather. However, in the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the beginning of autumn, as the days gradually shorten.

By the way, did you know that day and night aren’t exactly the same length at the equinox? Learn more fun facts about the March equinox in our colorful infographic.

Best time for auroras: northern lights & southern lights

While predicting auroras is tricky, March statistically offers the best chance to see them. It has more geomagnetically active days than any other month, with October coming in second. This is related to the equinox effect — when the Earth’s magnetic poles are at just the right angle for more solar wind to break through, leading to stronger auroras.

Another key factor is the Bz component, the “north-south” direction of the Sun’s magnetic field. Scientists have found that the Bz component fluctuates most during the equinoxes, which means geomagnetic storms are more common.

What’s more, right now is the best aurora season in the last 11 years! We are in a solar maximum, the peak of the 11-year solar activity cycle. With increased solar activity, the coming months offer some of the best chances to see auroras. If you’ve ever wanted to experience this breathtaking phenomenon, now is the perfect time!

Want to learn more about the Sun and its activity cycle? Check out our dedicated article.

Top lunar events in March 2025

Total lunar eclipse on March 14

On the night of March 13-14, a total lunar eclipse will occur, causing the Moon to turn copper red for over an hour. The total phase of the eclipse will last from 06:26 to 07:31 GMT on March 14, with maximum eclipse occurring at 06:58 GMT. This stunning event will be at least partially visible from Europe, much of Asia, Australia, and Africa, throughout North and South America, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Arctic, and Antarctica.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that darkens and reddens the lunar surface. The red color comes from sunlight refracting through the Earth’s atmosphere, filtering out blue light and allowing only the red hues to reach the Moon. This phenomenon is often called a Blood Moon.

Read more: Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13-14, 2025

Full Moon on March 14

Even if you won’t be able to see the total lunar eclipse, the March Full Moon is still a beautiful sight worth observing! The Moon will reach peak illumination on March 14, at 06:55 GMT, and will be located in the constellation Virgo.

The March Full Moon has a funny traditional name — Worm Moon. It got this name from Native American tribes. As the weather warms and the ground softens, earthworms reappear, attracting birds and signaling the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, this is the closest Full Moon to the fall equinox, signaling the approach of autumn.

Read more: March Full Moon

Bright “stars” near the Moon in March

Spotting the Moon near bright celestial objects is always a treat! March 2025 offers several lunar conjunctions, with some of the most exciting ones happening early in the month. You can find the full list in our dedicated article, but here are two standout events.

On March 2, just after sunset, a delicate 5%-lit crescent Moon will appear next to brilliant Venus (mag -4.7). In a small telescope, Venus will also appear as a thin 13%-lit crescent, making for a stunning view. With a bit of luck, you might also catch a glimpse of Mercury (mag -1.0) nearby.

On March 9, look up at night to see the waxing gibbous Moon positioned near Mars, which will be glowing like a reddish star at a magnitude of -0.1. There will also be a real star nearby — Pollux (mag 1.2), the brightest star in Gemini.

Read more: What Planet Is Near the Moon Tonight?

Meteor showers in March 2025

The period between early January and mid-April is poor for meteor observations. During this time, there are no outbursts of meteor activity.

In March, only one meteor shower — γ-Normids (Gamma-Normids) — reaches its maximum. Visible only from southern latitudes, it peaks on March 14 and produces about 6 meteors per hour. This year, the peak of the meteor shower will coincide with the Full Moon, which means the meteors will be tricky to spot.

Even in the months without prolific meteor showers, you can try to catch a few “shooting stars”. On moonless nights, go outside and look at the night sky. There’s a chance you’ll see sporadic meteors — those not associated with a particular shower. By the way, you have a better chance of seeing sporadic meteors in the morning. There are 3 to 4 times more “shooting stars” during the pre-dawn hours.

Asteroids in March 2025

In March, observers with binoculars will be able to see 4 Vesta, the second largest and brightest object in the main asteroid belt. The asteroid will have a magnitude of 7-6 and will be getting brighter towards the end of March. Look for Vesta after local midnight in the constellation Libra, where it will be all month.

Read also: Next Asteroid Predicted to Hit Earth

Deep-sky objects in March 2025: Join the Messier marathon

March is the perfect time to observe deep-sky objects. During this month, enthusiasts participate in the Messier Marathon and try to find as many objects from the Messier catalog as possible in one night. It usually coincides with the New Moon phase, which this year falls on the night of March 29-30.

Besides, March is the beginning of galaxy season! There are many galaxies in the sky this month for all levels of observing skills. If you’re a beginner, look for Bode’s Galaxy (M81), which is bright and easy to see; right next to it is the slightly fainter Cigar Galaxy (M82). Try to capture them in one frame!

Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) is another galaxy to look for in March. Located in the constellation of Ursa Major, it has a magnitude of 7.9 and can be seen with binoculars or small telescopes from dark locations. The Pinwheel Galaxy is easy to find — it’s close to the “handle” of the “bowl” that forms the Big Dipper asterism.

More advanced observers can try to catch the isolated barred spiral galaxy NGC 2903 in Leo. By the way, Messier missed this galaxy when compiling his catalog. Tip for astrophotographers: you will need a lot of exposure time to bring out its wispy arms.

But galaxies aren’t the only deep sky objects to look at in March. The Wishing Well Cluster (NGC 3532) is a perfect object for viewing: at magnitude 3, it is visible to the naked eye. On a clear, dark night, it appears as a hazy patch in the sky. Through binoculars or a telescope, this stunning cluster looks like a collection of silver coins scattered at the bottom of a well — hence its nickname.

You can find more galaxies and star clusters visible this month in our dedicated article. To locate all the listed objects in the sky from your location, get the free astronomy app Sky Tonight.

How to navigate the night sky?

The best helper for observing the night sky is the mobile app Sky Tonight:

1. Stay up-to-date on celestial events: Sky Tonight sends you alerts about meteor showers, eclipses, and other celestial events, so you don’t miss any opportunities to see the night sky at its best.

2. Discover celestial objects you’ve never heard of before: the app’s database of stars, constellations, and other celestial objects is comprehensive, making it easy to find and learn about new things in the night sky. All the objects are available for free!

3. Plan stargazing trips: Sky Tonight helps you find the best night for observations for your location, so you can plan the time to see the stars in all their glory.

4. Learn about astronomy: the app’s educational resources and guides can help you deepen your understanding of the night sky, making stargazing an even more enriching experience.

5. Share your love of astronomy: with its easy-to-use interface and customizable features, the Sky Tonight app is the perfect tool for introducing others to the joys of stargazing.

Have a look at our video tutorials to get the most out of the app.

March sky events: bottom line

March 2025 is an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts. With two eclipses, Saturn’s disappearing rings, Venus visible as both the morning and evening star, Mercury going retrograde, and the equinox starting the new season, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get the Sky Tonight app to navigate the night sky easily and never miss an astronomical event!