Elongation of Mercury, Moon, planets: what to see in the sky in March 2024?


No need for a telescope to enjoy the celestial shows. Here are the astronomical phenomena visible to the naked eye in France, in March 2024.

February, the shortest month of the year, is over! Let’s move on to March 2024. While waiting to discover whether the promising Devil’s Comet will be clearly visible this month, it is possible to anticipate other astronomical phenomena. Here are those that will be accessible without a telescope, even to beginners in astronomy.

And for those who want to go further in their exploration of the celestial vault, Numerama has a selection of telescopes for observing the stars.

The phases of the Moon

Our planet’s only natural satellite is also the easiest astronomical object to admire in the night sky. Here are the phases of the Moon, throughout the month of March 2024.

  • THE Sunday March 3, it is the last quarter of the Moon. During this phase, we can see a half-Moon, the western half of which is illuminated by the Sun.
  • THE Sunday March 10 marks the phase of the new Moon. Since the star is in conjunction with the Sun, it is therefore not visible in the sky.
  • THE Sunday March 17, this is the first quarter phase. This time, it is on its eastern half that the Moon is illuminated.
  • THE Monday March 25, it is the full Moon, or the moment when the Moon is in opposition to the Sun. Its entire visible side is illuminated.
The Moon among the clouds. // Source: Canva
The Moon among the clouds. // Source: Canva

Planets visible to the naked eye

The planets of the solar system visible to the naked eye are shy in March 2024. Mars and Saturn are not observable, while Venus quickly takes off. Mercury and Jupiter are however there.

Here are the times and constellations to see the planets with the naked eye.

MercuryVenusJupiter
From 1 to 9invisible7:10 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Capricorn		6:30 p.m. – 11:40 p.m.
Ram
From 4 to 10invisibleinvisible6:40 p.m. – 11:20 p.m.
Ram
From 11 to 177 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.
Pisces		invisible6:50 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Ram
From 18 to 247:10 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.
Pisces		invisible7 p.m. – 10:40 p.m.
Ram
From 25 to 317:20 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Pisces		invisible7:10 p.m. – 10:20 p.m.
Ram

Other astronomical phenomena

Finally, other astronomical phenomena punctuate March 2024 in the sky in France.

  • THE Sunday March 3the Moon is close to a beautiful star, Antares, which is located in the constellation Scorpio.
  • THE Wednesday March 13Jupiter is in duo with the lunar crescent.
  • THE Wednesday March 20, it’s the spring equinox (and not March 21), at 4:06 a.m. exactly. Even if there is nothing special to observe, it is an opportunity to remember that the seasons have an astronomical origin.
  • THE Sunday March 24, Mercury is at its maximum elongation in the evening. The planet is easily observed with the naked eye or with binoculars.
  • THE Sunday March 31, it’s the time change, France switches to summer time. At 2 a.m., it will be 3 a.m.

You now know what there will be to observe in March 2024! Good starry nights.

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