It’s almost spring! As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, the world brings forth a kaleidoscope of blossoms. March unfolds as a celestial spectacle, ushering in the first equinox of the year and a subtle shift in seasons. We will witness a total lunar eclipse March 13-14, a chance to spot Mercury early on and a moon Mars appulse!

March 6 — First quarter moon

The first quarter moon marks the halfway point between the new moon and the full moon. It appears as a half-illuminated disk with the right half visible from the Northern Hemisphere and the left half visible from the Southern Hemisphere and is visible in the afternoon and evening sky.

March 8 — Mercury at greatest eastern elongation

The planet Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 18.2 degrees from the sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just below bright Venus an hour after sunset, around 6:30-7 p.m.

    Image courtesy of John Taylor using Stellarium
  

March 8 — Conjunction of the moon and Mars

After finding Mercury, turn towards the southwest, where the moon and Mars will share the same region of the sky, with the moon passing within 2 degrees of Mars. The moon will be nine days old. At around the same time, the two objects will also make a close approach, technically called an appulse.

March 9 — Daylight Savings starts

Time to groan and advance those clocks forward by one hour on Sunday morning.

March 13 — Full moon

The moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the sun, and its face will be fully illuminated. This phase will occur at 11:54 p.m. This full moon was known by early Native American Tribes as the Worm Moon. This moon has also been called the Crow Moon, the Crust Moon, the Sap Moon and the Lenten Moon.

March 13-14 — Total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the Earth's shadow, which means the moon will turn blood red. The eclipse will be visible throughout all of North America. It begins at 8:57 p.m. and ends the next morning at 3 a.m. The greatest eclipse occurs at 11:59 p.m.

    Total lunar eclipse.
  

March 20 — March Equinox

The March equinox occurs at 2:01 a.m. The sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal/spring equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.

March 22 — Last quarter moon

The last quarter moon is the third and final phase of the moon during its monthly cycle. At this point, the moon appears half-illuminated, with the left half visible from the Northern Hemisphere and the right half visible from the Southern Hemisphere. This moon is visible after midnight and throughout the morning.

March 29 — New moon

The new moon is the beginning of the lunar cycle when the moon is not visible from Earth. It occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun. Since the illuminated side of the moon is facing away from us, the night sky will be especially dark, making it an excellent time for stargazing without moonlight interference.

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John Taylor is an amateur astronomer who lives in Hayden.