Total lunar eclipse—March 3
All eyes will point skyward in the early morning hours of March 3. The sight—a total lunar eclipse—will turn the full worm moon a haunting tangerine hue. The mechanics of a total lunar eclipse trigger this blood moon effect. During the event, Earth slides between the sun and the moon. The moon enters our shadow, known as the umbra, and scatters shorter wavelengths of light. The longer red wavelengths pass through, creating that orange glow.
(A ‘blood moon’ total lunar eclipse is coming—here’s when to watch.)
Stargazers in all 50 states can admire this one, although west coasters will have the best view. On the East Coast, the eclipse occurs soon before the moon sets. That means you’ll need a perch with clear views west to watch the blood moon meet the horizon. On the west coast, the eclipse takes place earlier in the morning, well before moonset. It will appear higher in the sky, with a full view from partial eclipse to totality, then back to partial eclipse.
Venus-Saturn conjunction—March 7-8
Venus and Saturn will approach each other, getting tight enough to spot through a pair of binoculars, on the evenings of March 7 and 8. Watch the conjunction just above the west horizon, where the duo will remain visible for around 45 minutes after sunset. The planets are tightest on the nights of March 7 and 8, but they’re noticeably close in the nights leading up to and following the conjunction, too.