Right on the Heels of the Total Lunar Eclipse, More Astronomical Wonders to Follow

The month of March started on a brilliant note across the night sky when a total lunar eclipse turned the surface of the moon a red hue throughout much of the world early Tuesday. The rest of the month will feature a variety of astronomical events worthy of your attention. From planetary parades to seasonal changes to a new moon, here is what to expect in the weeks ahead.

Parade of Planets

A rare planetary lineup that unfolded in late February will persist into the early part of March, giving you a few more days to see this wonder. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune will line up in a row known as the ecliptic. Stargazers will need to look up at the sky just after twilight in order to see all six planets at the same time. Venus and Jupiter are the brightest and easiest to spot with the naked eye. You will need a small telescope or a pair of binoculars to see the dimmer Uranus and Neptune.

If you miss this planetary alignment, you can still catch Saturn and Venus in conjunction on March 7 and 8. The duo will reach their closest points to each other on March 8 at approximately 6:11 pm ET. At this precise time, Venus will pass just one degree north of Saturn. Venus will appear the brightest, making it the easiest to find first. While the conjunction will be visible to the naked eye, onlookers will enjoy better views with the use of binoculars.