After an intense month of February in astronomical observations, we continue with March 2023. Other celestial spectacles, visible to the naked eye, are on the program.
Comet ZTF, meteorites, aurora borealis… February 2023 was rich in observable astronomical phenomena in France. Despite the winter temperatures, the curious and curious who were motivated were able to admire the sky on many occasions, even without owning a telescope.
Here are the new dates to note to continue doing astronomy in March 2023.
Moon phases
Impossible to get tired of the spectacle of the Moon. That’s good, it is precisely one of the easiest objects to access for amateur astronomers. We can start by identifying the phases of the Moon, throughout the month.
- THE tuesday 7 march, the moon is full. This means that the visible side of the Moon, from Earth, is completely illuminated by the Sun. It’s always beautiful to see.
- THE Wednesday March 15, it is the last quarter of the Moon. You simply admire a half moon. It is also said to be in western quadrature.
- THE tuesday march 21, it is the new moon. It is not visible in the night sky.
- Then the Wednesday March 29, we find a half-moon. It is this time in eastern quadrature, because it is the phase of the first quarter.
Planets visible to the naked eye
A little patience to see Mercury and Saturn without an instrument: they are only visible again at the end of the month. Venus, Mars and Jupiter are observable throughout March 2023. Here’s when to see them, and in which constellations to find them.
| Mercury | Venus | March | Jupiter | Saturn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From 1 to 5 | invisible | 6:40 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. Pisces | 6:40 p.m. – 3 a.m. Bull | 6:40 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. Pisces | invisible |
| From 5 to 12 | invisible | 6:50 p.m. – 9 p.m. Pisces | 6:50 p.m. – 2:40 a.m. Bull | 6:50 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. Pisces | invisible |
| From 13 to 19 | invisible | 7 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. Pisces | 7 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Bull | 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Pisces | invisible |
| From 20 to 26 | invisible | 7:10 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. Ram | 7:10 p.m. – 2:20 a.m. Bull | 7:10 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. Pisces | invisible |
| From 27 to 31 | 8:20 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. Pisces | 8:20 p.m. – 11 p.m. Ram | 8:20 p.m. – 3 a.m. Gemini | 8:20 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Pisces | 7:10 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Aquarius |
Other astronomical phenomena
There are still these phenomena to note in your diaries, and you will be ready to do astronomy in March 2023.
- The evening of Wednesday March 1, the two brightest planets in the sky (right now) are in conjunction. Venus and Jupiter, which have been approaching since February 22, are very close in the sky.
- The day after, Thursday March 2Venus is visible directly above Jupiter.
- From the Wednesday March 15and for a week, find the zodiacal light in the evening.
- THE Monday March 20, it’s the equinox (at 10:24 p.m.)! Spring is here in the northern hemisphere.
- THE Friday March 24Venus flirts with the crescent Moon.
- THE Sunday March 26, we go back to summer time. The time change is not an astronomical phenomenon, but it is better to be at the right time to make a success of your observations.
- THE tuesday march 28it is with Mars that the Moon now forms a couple.
- The next day, the evening of Wednesday March 29the Moon is particularly high in the sky.
The wonders of the sky await you in March 2023! It only remains for us to wish you good weather and beautiful observations.
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