Visible Planets, Bright Stars, and Constellations
March 2026 delivers one of the most exciting months of the year for skywatchers. From a rare total lunar eclipse during the Full Worm Moon to striking planet pairings and the arrival of the spring equinox, the night sky is packed with memorable moments. Almanac astronomer Bob Berman guides you through the best March 2026 night sky events, highlighting celestial sights that are easy to spot with the naked eye—perfect for both beginner stargazers and seasoned observers.
| Date | Event | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| March 3 | 🌕 Total Lunar Eclipse | Full Worm Moon turns coppery during totality |
| March 7–8 | 🪐 Venus & Saturn | Close conjunction low in the western sky |
| March 18 | 🌑 New Moon | Ideal dark skies for galaxy viewing |
| March 19–20 | 🌙 Moon & Venus | Crescent Moon pairs with Venus after sunset |
| March 20 | 🌸 Spring Equinox | Sun rises due east, sets due west |
| March 25–26 | 🌙 Jupiter & Moon | Bright pairing visible for hours |
| March 29 | ⭐ Regulus & Moon | Moon meets Leo’s brightest star |
March 2026 Night Sky
March 3: Total Lunar Eclipse
Mark your calendars! March 3 brings the arrival of the Full Worm Moon. This year, the Moon will be fully eclipsed. It’s also the only lunar eclipse of 2026 visible from North America. Sometimes, the media will call this a “Blood Moon,” but it’s not really blood red-colored; it’s more of a coppery orange. In Eastern Daylight Time, the Full Moon begins to enter Earth’s shadow at 4:52 A.M. The total phase (when the Moon is fully immersed in Earth’s shadow) will start at 6:08 A.M. See more details on our eclipse page.
March 7 and 8: Venus and Saturn Conjunction
Venus and Saturn meet low in the west tonight. The conjunction is visible through binoculars at 7:15 P.M., while a small telescope will reveal Saturn’s rings, nearly edge-on. See all planet rise and set times.
Sunday, March 8: Daylight Saving Time Begins
Time to spring forward! As this is a Sunday at 2 a.m., you may wish to ensure all clocks are set forward Saturday evening, March 7. The sunsets now occur a minute later every evening as we approach the vernal equinox on March 20. Yes, the light is returning as we march toward spring! Learn more about Daylight Saving Time.
March 18: New Moon
Tonight, the Moon appears absent from the skies. However, the New Moon is simply hidden from our view for the night. This is a perfect night for stargazing. Did you know spring is galaxy time? More galaxies are visible from March to mid-May, early in the evening. Learn more about seeing galaxies.
March 19 and 20: Moon Meets Venus
Around 7:15 P.M. on the 19th, the Crescent Moon meets up with Venus. Look for the planet at the upper left of the Moon, low in the west. Then, the next evening, on the 20th, Venus dangles below the Moon.
Photo: Pelagija
March 20: Spring Equinox
Spring begins with the vernal equinox on the 20th at 10:46 A.M. EDT. This marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun will rise perfectly due east and set due west. Learn more facts about the vernal equinox.
March 25 and 26: Jupiter and the Moon
The Moon hovers next to Jupiter for two nights in a row, due south at 7:30 P.M. This stunning conjunction is visible for hours.
March 29: Regulus Shines
Tonight, the Waxing Moon moves on to meet up with Leo’s brightest star, Regulus. Learn more about this fascinating blue star.
March Stargazing
Sirius, the Dog Star
March is a great month to marvel at Sirius—the brightest star in our sky. Sirius is nicknamed “the Dog Star” because it’s the brightest star in Canis Major’s constellation. Sirius is super easy to locate: Just face toward the south and look for Orion. The three bright stars that make up Orion’s belt point downward toward Sirius. See my post on Sirius, The Brightest Star in the Sky Tonight.
The Big Dipper
On March evenings, it’s easy to find the Big Dipper. This is not a constellation but an “asterism,” which is composed of the seven brightest stars in the constellation Ursa Major, the Greater Bear. The shape of the Big Dipper never varies, but its orientation changes constantly. See our free stargazing map to navigate the Big Dipper.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the total lunar eclipse in March 2026?
The total lunar eclipse occurs on March 3, 2026, during the Full Worm Moon and is visible across North America.
What planets are visible in March 2026?
Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury are all visible at different times throughout the month.
Is March a good month for stargazing?
Yes! March marks the start of galaxy season, with dark skies around the New Moon on March 18.
What does the spring equinox mean for daylight?
On March 20, daylight and darkness are nearly equal, and days continue getting longer afterward.
Enjoy gazing at the stars and interested in more wonders of the night sky? See the Best Sky Nights of 2026!
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