✨ March Night Sky Guide: Worm Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse ✨

Hello stargazers! March brings one of the most spectacular lunar events of the year, alongside meteor activity, planetary highlights, and the official change of seasons here in Australia. From a dramatic Blood Moon to dark-sky opportunities and elegant lunar encounters, there’s plenty to keep eyes on the sky this month.

Notable Astronomy Events

☄️ March 1 — Comet Lemmon near NGC 6025

On March 1, Comet Lemmon makes a close pass by NGC 6025, an open star cluster in Scorpius, creating a subtle but rewarding deep-sky pairing.

🕗 After sunset

📍 Low in the south-south-east sky

👀 Best observed with binoculars or a telescope, or via long exposure photography.

The comet is faint (Mag 11 approx), so dark skies and patience are key, but the contrast between a moving comet and a distant star cluster makes this a lovely target for observers and astrophotographers alike.

🌕 March 3 — Full Moon (The Worm Moon) & Total Lunar Eclipse

March begins with a Full Moon, peaking at 21:37 AEST. Traditionally known as the Worm Moon, this name comes from early Native American tribes, marking the time when the ground began to soften and earthworms reappeared. It’s also been called the Crow Moon, Sap Moon, and Lenten Moon.

🌑🌕 Bonus highlight: This Full Moon is accompanied by a total lunar eclipse, fully visible across Australia. During totality, the Moon will pass through Earth’s shadow and take on a deep copper-red hue, a classic “Blood Moon.”

🩸 Totality (Victoria): approx. 10:04–11:02 pm AEDT.

👀 Best observed with: naked eye, binoculars, or telescope.

📍 Where to look: anywhere the Moon is visible.

🌠 March 15 — γ-Normid Meteor Shower Peak

The γ-Normids are a minor meteor shower best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. While rates are low, this shower is known for the occasional bright meteor, making it worth a look if skies are clear and dark.

🌌 Best observed after midnight.

👀 Best observed with: naked eye.

📍 Where to look: southern skies, away from light pollution.

🌑 March 19 — New Moon

At 11:24 AEST, the Moon slips between the Earth and Sun, bringing a New Moon and beautifully dark skies. This is the best deep-sky observing window of the month, ideal for galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters without moonlight interference.

🔭 Perfect for astrophotography and long observing sessions.

🍂 March 20 — March Equinox

The March Equinox occurs at 00:48 AEST on March 21, marking the start of astronomical autumn in Australia. Day and night are nearly equal in length, as the Sun shines directly over Earth’s equator.

It’s a quiet but meaningful celestial milestone — a reminder of the precise rhythms governing our planet’s journey around the Sun.

🌙✨ March 23 — Moon Near the Pleiades (M45)

On the evening of March 23, the Moon makes a close pass by the Pleiades star cluster, creating a lovely wide-field sight.

🕡 6:53 pm AEST

👀 Best observed with the naked eye or binoculars

📍 Western sky after sunset

🌙✨ March 26 — Moon Near Jupiter

On March 26, the Moon passes close to Jupiter, offering an easy and striking pairing for observers.

🕚 After sunset

👀 Best observed with the naked eye or binoculars

📍 Northern sky

🌙 Lunar Occultations

March features several lunar occultations, where the Moon passes directly in front of bright stars. These events beautifully demonstrate the Moon’s motion and are especially engaging through binoculars or telescopes.

March 2–3 🌟 Regulus🕗 8:53 pm – 1:01 am AEST (Not visible from Australia).

March 10🌟 Antares🕗 8:11 pm – 11:53 pm AEST (Not visible from Australia).

March 25 🌟 Beta Tauri🕕 6:34 am – 10:40 am AEST (Not visible from Australia).

March 30  🌟 Regulus🕓 3:51 am – 8:04 am AEST (Not visible from Australia).

Planetary Highlights

• Mercury appears very low in the sky early in the month and moves out of view before re-emerging as a morning star toward the end of March, where it remains challenging but rewarding to spot near dawn.

• Venus sits very low on the western horizon at dusk, glowing brightly but setting quickly after sunset.

• Mars shifts closer to the Sun and becomes increasingly difficult to observe, reappearing low in the dawn sky at the end of the month.

• Jupiter continues to shine as a bright and easily visible evening object.

• Saturn remains close to the Sun throughout March and is poorly placed for observation.

Best Deep Sky Objects (Southern Hemisphere)

🌸 Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)

Why: One of the best nebulae in the entire sky

Best time: Early evening (still high in March)

Gear: Widefield to mid-focal length (50–300mm), narrowband works beautifully

Notes: Autumn is your last great chance before it sinks lower heading into winter

🔥 Eta Carinae Region

Why: Dense star formation, dramatic structure

Best time: Early evening

Gear: 135–400mm

Notes: Excellent for mosaics and Hα/OIII

🦞 Running Chicken Nebula (IC 2944)

Why: Dark Bok globules add texture

Best time: Early evening

Gear: 200–500mm

Notes: Narrowband recommended under light pollution

🌫 Gum Nebula (Gum12) (Ultra widefield)

Why: Massive faint emission region

Best time: After sunset

Gear: Ultra-wide (14–50mm to 70mm), narrowband essential

Notes: Subtle but stunning with long integration

🌠 Centaurus A (NGC 5128)

Why: Dust lane + bright core = iconic target

Best time: Late evening

Gear: 600mm+

Notes: One of the best galaxy targets in the southern sky

🌌 Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

Why: Striking dust lane, compact and sharp

Best time: Late night

Gear: 800–1200mm

Notes: Excellent high-resolution target

March delivers drama, darkness, and seasonal change in equal measure. Whether you’re watching the Moon turn red, chasing meteors, or enjoying crisp autumn evenings under the stars, this month is full of quiet wonder and unforgettable moments.

Clear skies,Astrogirl 🌙💜