The phases of the Moon for March 2026, with each image produced with data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. (NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio/Scott Sutherland)
The Moon will be lost from sight on the 19th, as it passes through its New phase, and then from the 20th to the 24th, we will see the Waxing Crescent Moon in the east after sunset. The First Quarter Moon will shine on the 25th, and we will have a Waxing Gibbous Moon from the 26th through the 31st.
The Planets
Each night, just after sunset, the planet Jupiter will be shining brightly, high in the southern sky, near the stars Pollux and Castor from the constellation Aquarius. Watch throughout March, though, as Jupiter shifts slightly farther west each night.
Meanwhile, each evening, off to the west, we can spot both Saturn and Venus low to the horizon. On the night of March 8, these two planets get very close together in the sky, forming a ‘conjunction’. Watch on the nights before, as the two approach, and then after as they draw away from each other again.
The conjunction of Saturn and Venus, in the western sky after sunset, from the 6th to the 10th, with them reaching their closest approach to each other in the sky on the 8th. (Stellarium/Scott Sutherland)
For the morning of the 17th, here’s a special challenge for planet enthusiasts!
At around 7 a.m., local time, just before the Sun rises, the planets Mercury and Mars will be just above the eastern horizon, along with a very thin Waning Crescent Moon. The trick here is that the trio will be difficult to pick out through the surrounding twilit sky.
Mercury, Mars, and the Moon cluster in the eastern predawn sky on March 17. (Stellarium)
Having very clear skies will help, as will being higher up, either on a hilltop, or in a tall building, plus binoculars or a telescope will assist with peering through the twilight. If you manage to spot them, or even capture them in a picture, let us know on social media — X, Instagram, Facebook, or Threads.