Stargazers are in for a treat this month, with the Northern Lights and a lunar eclipse set to illuminate the night sky. The celestial events will take place throughout March, offering a spectacular display of colour and light – which many are keen to see.
The first lunar eclipse since 2022 will occur, followed by a partial solar eclipse – although these will only be visible in North America. According to Forbes, the best time for stargazing this month is during the darkest evenings, between March 22 and March 29.
On March 1, a crescent moon and Venus appeared in the western sky after sunset, with the planet more visible as it became darker. Now, the Northern Lights are expected to appear in the skies around March 20, with March 2025 potentially being the best month to spot them due to the sun being close to its “solar maximum”, the peak of its 11-year solar cycle.
The vernal equinox on March 20 will also cause a surge in aurora activity, making the lights particularly bright in the US, Canada, and regions near the Arctic Circle.
Soon, on March 8, there will be a full moon accompanied by a bright Mars in the southern night sky, reports Express.co.uk. But the real showstopper is set to occur between Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14, when a Blood Moon total lunar eclipse is expected. This awe-inspiring event will be visible in the south to southwest night sky over North America, beginning at 10.57pm Eastern Standard Time.
The full moon will glide into Earth’s shadow, reaching the peak of the eclipse at approximately 2.26 am. Observers will be treated to a dramatic display lasting 65 minutes as the moon takes on an orange and red hue due to sunlight passing through our planet’s atmosphere.
Adding to the astronomical spectacle, a deep partial solar eclipse is anticipated at sunrise on Saturday, March 29. Visible in the eastern sky, this phenomenon can be observed from northeastern North America, eastern Canada, and parts of Europe.