Moon phases
New Moon | First Quarter Moon | Full Moon | Last Quarter Moon |
29 March | 7 March | 14 March | 22 March |
A new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. The Moon is aligned with the Sun and the Earth, and the side of the Moon that faces Earth is in darkness. The new Moon is not visible to the naked eye, as it is too close to the Sun’s glare or below the horizon during the day. | At first quarter, one-half of the Waxing Moon appears to be illuminated by the Sun's light, while the other half is in shadow. This is because the Moon is at a 90-degree angle to the Earth and Sun. | During a Full Moon, the Moon's surface is completely illuminated by the Sun. This happens because the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and they are aligned in a straight line. | At last quarter, one-half of the Waning Moon appears to be illuminated by the Sun's light, while the other half is in shadow. |
Notable Night Sky Events for March
1 March: Lunar Occultation of Mercury
Time: Global occultation starts at 02:08 UTC (Local occultation starts at 13:40 AEST)
During daylight, the Moon will pass in front of Mercury, creating a lunar occultation in the sky above Australia, Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and others.
5 March: Moon near M45
The 6-day-old waxing crescent Moon will be close to the Pleiades star cluster. This event is visible to the naked eye or through binoculars. Look for M45 in the constellation Taurus. For those in Brisbane, the pair can be observed on the northwestern-western horizon until the Moon sets at about 9:00 PM AEST.
7 March: Lunar Occultation of Beta Tauri
Time: 01:51 to 06:09 UTC (11:51 AM to 16:09 PM AEST)
On 7 March 2025, the Moon will occult Beta Tauri (Elnath). This event is visible across Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala, while a close conjunction will be observable more widely. The occultation will not be visible from Brisbane.
14 March: Total Lunar Eclipse
Time: The Moon will pass through the Earth's shadow between 15:09 and 18:47 AEST, with totality occurring from 16:25 to 17:32 UTC (16:25 to 17:32 AEST).
During this event, the Earth will cast its shadow over the Moon, blocking direct sunlight and giving our lunar neighbour a stunning reddish glow—aka the famous "Blood Moon." This happens because Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight, filtering out the blues and allowing only the warm red hues to reach the Moon.
If you're in the Americas, Antarctica, Alaska, north-eastern Russia, or parts of Africa, you're in luck! As long as the Moon is above the horizon, you'll be able to witness the full eclipse in all its glory. No fancy equipment is needed just your eyes and a clear sky! For eastern Australia and Puppa New Guinea, and New Zealand and Fiji, and partial lunar eclipse will be visible at moonrise.
For those living in Southeast Queensland, moonrise occurs at about 6:00 PM - aim for a clear view of the eastern horizon. If you're looking for a location, check out The NightMap.
17 March: Lunar occultation of Spica
Time: 17:26 to 21:52 UTC (03:26 AM to 07:52 AM AEST)
The Moon will occult Spica (Alpha Virginis), visible from Africa, Yemen, and western Australia, while a close conjunction will be more widely observable. The occultation will not be visible from Brisbane.
21 March: Lunar occultation of Antares
Time: 14:23 to 18:35 UTC (00:23 to 04:35 AEST)
The Moon will occult Antares (Alpha Scorpii), visible from parts of Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, and Tasmania, while a close conjunction will be more widely observable. The occultation will not be visible from Brisbane.
21 March: March Equinox
Time: 07:01 AEST (21:01 UTC 20 March)
The March equinox marks the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, signaling the start of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
The March Equinox has been significant throughout history, symbolizing balance, renewal, and the changing of seasons. In ancient Egypt, it was linked to the flooding of the Nile, while the Babylonians celebrated their New Year (Akitu) around this time. The Mayan pyramid of Kukulcán at Chichén Itzá was designed so that, on the equinox, a serpent-shaped shadow slithered down its steps. For Persians, the equinox marks Nowruz, the New Year, a tradition over 3,000 years old. Pagans and Wiccans celebrate Ostara, a festival of fertility and rebirth, while in Christianity, the equinox determines the date of Easter, aligning with themes of resurrection and renewal.
The equinox remains a powerful marker of seasonal and spiritual change across cultures.
23 March: Saturn Ring-Plane Crossing
Time: Saturn's rings turn edge-on for 44 days
Saturn's rings will appear edge-on from Earth's perspective, making them nearly invisible. The planet itself will be too close to the Sun in the sky to be visible during this period.
29 March: Partial Solar Eclipse
Time: Partial eclipse begins at 08:50 UTC, maximum eclipse at 10:47 UTC, and ends at 12:43 UTC.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers only part of the Sun, sometimes resembling a bite taken out of a cookie. This eclipse will be visible across Greenland, most of northern Europe, northern Russia, much of North America, northern South America, and parts of Africa and the Atlantic. The best view will be in Canada, where up to 93% of the Sun will be covered. Check your visibility and local times.
Observers must use proper eye protection, such as a special solar filter or indirect viewing methods, to safely watch the event. Learn more about viewing a solar eclipse.
Unfortunately, this eclipse will not be visible from Brisbane. The next partial solar eclipse visible from some parts of Australia will occur on 21 September 2025.
Planetary Observations for March 2025
Mercury
Visible briefly in early evening twilight until mid-month; transitions to the morning sky by late March. Look low in the western sky in early March, moving into the eastern morning sky by the month's end. Difficult to observe due to its proximity to the Sun. Reaches its greatest elongation east (18° from the Sun) on 8 March but remains difficult to see, setting only 40 minutes after sunset. Moves toward inferior conjunction on 25 March, after which it enters the morning sky, offering better viewing opportunities in April.
Venus
Visible in the early evening at the start of the month, then transitions to the morning sky. Western sky in early March, shifting to the eastern sky before sunrise by late March. Easily visible to the naked eye; brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon. Final appearance as the "Evening Star," setting one hour after sunset on 1 March. Reaches inferior conjunction with the Sun on 23 March, disappearing briefly before emerging in the morning sky as the "Morning Star." Look for a two-day-old waxing crescent Moon above Venus on 2 March.
Mars
Visible all night in the early part of the month; best seen in the evening. In the constellation Gemini, near Castor and Pollux. Easily visible to the naked eye with a reddish hue; small details may be seen with a telescope. Shines at magnitude 0.28 and is positioned high in the northeastern sky after sunset. Similar ruddy color to Pollux (magnitude 1.1), a red giant 34 light-years away. The waxing gibbous Moon passes between Mars and Pollux on 9 March, creating a striking celestial trio.
Jupiter
Visible all night in early March; setting earlier as the month progresses. In the constellation Taurus, near Aldebaran. Very bright and easily visible to the naked eye; binoculars or a small telescope reveal its four Galilean moons. At magnitude -2.17, dominates the night sky until it is joined by the waxing crescent Moon on 6 March. Bright white glow contrasts with Aldebaran, the red giant eye of Taurus (magnitude 0.9). By the end of the month, Jupiter will be just two degrees from NGC 1746, a former open cluster now considered a random grouping of stars.
Saturn
Reaches conjunction with the Sun on 12 March, making it unobservable for most of the month. Reappears in the early morning twilight toward the end of March, rising one hour before sunrise. On 23 March, Earth crosses Saturn’s ring plane, causing its rings to appear nearly invisible for a few days—a rare event that occurs approximately every 15 years.
Uranus
Visible in the evening for the first half of March; sets earlier as the month progresses. In the constellation Aries. Best viewed with a high-powered telescope; it appears as a small blue-green dot. At magnitude 5.8, remains in the evening sky early in the month but becomes harder to see as it sets earlier. Look for it near the Moon on 5 March for an easy reference point.
Best Astrophotography Targets this Month
Orion Nebula (M42) – Still hanging out after sunset, this classic never gets old.
Beehive Cluster (M44) – A perfect binocular target in Cancer, looking like a little swarm of stars.
NGC 2244 (Rosette Nebula) – A fantastic astrophotography target in Monoceros.
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