March skies 2026

- By James Edgar

February 24,2026

key points from this story:

• Moon eclipses and conjunctions
• March 3 total lunar eclipse
• Mercury returns to morning sky
• Venus shines as Evening Star
• Vernal equinox on March 20
• Daylight Saving Time starts March 8

The Moon occults Regulus (twice) and Antares this month, but not for North America. Nonetheless, Regulus is a mere 0.4 degrees south on the opening days of March. The Moon is full on the 3rd, which is also at total lunar eclipse (of course–it’s 14 days following the solar eclipse in February). The Moon passes completely through Earth’s shadow during the eclipse, so expect to see a deep orange or brown Moon. On the 6th, Spica is 1.9 degrees north of the waning gibbous Moon. The 10th sees Antares 0.7 degrees north of our satellite, the same day it reaches apogee of 404,384 km. The 17th has Mercury 2 degrees north of the thin sliver of the waning Moon–an early morning event in the eastern twilight. The Moon is new on the 18th. The thin sliver of the 1.5-day-old Moon is 5 degrees north of Venus in the western evening sky on March 20, which happens to be the vernal equinox. On the 22nd, the Moon reaches perigee of 366,857 km, right up close to the Pleiades and Uranus. The 26th finds Jupiter 4 degrees south of first-quarter Luna; the 27th sees it among the stars of the Beehive Cluster (M44). Once again, Regulus is occulted on the 29th, but only for a small region of northeastern Canada.

Mercury has been hiding in front of the Sun, but gradually emerges in the eastern morning twilight, becoming brighter as it moves away from the Sun’s glare. This apparition favours Southern Hemisphere observers.

Venus climbs up the ecliptic as the Evening Star, a welcome beacon throughout the next six months. The brightest planet snuggles up close to Saturn and Neptune on the 7th. A challenge presents itself on the 19th, when the razor-thin crescent Moon passes by.

Mars is too close to the Sun for viewing until late in the month.

Jupiter is well placed for viewing all month, becoming visible high above Orion, remaining among the stars of Gemini. Double shadows show up on the giant planet’s cloud tops on the 5th. Retrograde motion ceases on the 11th, when Jupiter briefly stands still and begins prograde motion eastward. The waxing gibbous Moon glides by on the 26th.

Saturn will be a tough observation, but finding Venus is the west can be a guide on the 7th and 8th. After that, the ringed planet is too close to the Sun for viewing.

Uranus remains high above the horizon in Taurus, The Bull. The waxing crescent Moon joins the scene on the 22nd.

Neptune is still in Pisces, where it will remain all year. Saturn nearby is an easier find, but they both descend into the Sun’s glare by mid-month.

Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8. The zodiacal light is visible in northern latitudes in the west after evening twilight for the first two weeks. The vernal equinox is on March 20, marking the beginning of spring.