Celestial Spectacles in March: Lunar and Solar Eclipses and Cosmic Encounters
March, the herald of spring, ushers in a captivating celestial dance. Two cosmic shadow plays, a total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse, will grace the skies of Central Europe – weather permitting.
Total Lunar Eclipse: March 14th
On Friday, March 14th, the full moon will immerse itself in Earth’s shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse. The lunar spectacle commences at 4:56 AM (CET) when the moon enters Earth’s penumbral shadow. The shadow play becomes discernible when the moon plunges into the Earth’s umbral shadow at 6:09 AM (CET). At 7:26 AM (CET), the moon is completely enveloped in the umbral shadow, marking the onset of totality.
However, for observers in Central Europe, the moon will set during the eclipse. For a location in central Germany (10°E, 50°N), moonset occurs at 6:41 AM (CET), prior to the start of totality. In Hamburg, the moon sets at 6:43 AM (CET), in Berlin at 6:29 AM (CET), and in Munich at 6:34 AM (CET). The exact moment of full moon occurs at 7:55 AM (CET). The visibility of the lunar eclipse extends across North and South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Europe, and Africa.
Moon at Perigee and Apogee
The moon reaches perigee (the closest point to Earth) twice in March, on March 1st and March 30th, at distances of 361,964 kilometers and 358,128 kilometers, respectively. It reaches its farthest point from Earth on March 17th, at a distance of 405,754 kilometers.
Partial Solar Eclipse: March 29th
On Saturday, March 29th, at 11:59 AM (CET), a new moon will occur. The dark lunar disk will partially obscure the sun, resulting in a partial solar eclipse. The eclipse’s visibility and percentage of coverage vary greatly depending on the location.
While observers in Central Europe can witness the partial solar eclipse during midday hours, the degree of coverage is modest and decreases from northwest to southeast. In Hamburg, the coverage is 21%, in Berlin 15%, in Dresden 13%, and in Munich 11%.
The solar eclipse begins in Hamburg at 11:25 AM (CET) and ends at 13:09 PM (CET). In Berlin, the times for the start and end are 11:32 AM (CET) and 13:08 PM (CET), respectively. In Munich, the eclipse begins at 11:27 AM (CET) and concludes at 12:56 PM (CET).
When observing the eclipse, it is crucial to prioritize eye safety. Refrain from looking directly at the sun without adequate protection. Sunglasses, blackened glasses, darkened film, tanning goggles, or packaging films provide insufficient protection. Attending a guided eclipse observation at a planetarium is highly recommended.
Venus: Evening and Morning Star
As in previous months, the brilliant Venus emerges as the first celestial body visible in the evening twilight. However, it is gradually transitioning from the evening sky. By March 20th, its apparent brightness decreases significantly, and its sunset times advance. On March 1st, Venus sets shortly after 9 PM (CET), while on March 20th, it sets as early as 7:15 PM (CET). After March 20th, Venus becomes visible only through binoculars.
Remarkably, Venus returns as a morning star as early as March 25th. It can be spotted in the morning sky, aided by binoculars. On March 25th, Venus rises nearly an hour before sunrise. By the end of March, its rise times advance to just before 6 AM (CEST). Venus thus embarks on its morning star phase, becoming both an evening and morning star in quick succession. On March 20th, it can be observed as both an evening and morning star, a rare occurrence.
Mercury: The Fleeting Messenger
Catching a glimpse of Mercury, the planet closest to the sun, is an uncommon event. In the early days of March, it offers its most favorable evening visibility for the entire year 2025. Around 6:30 PM (CET), it rises just above the western horizon in the twilight. On March 1st, it sets at 7:30 PM (CET), becoming barely visible about 15 minutes earlier due to the hazy conditions near the horizon. By March 10th, its sunset time shifts about half an hour later, to 8 PM (CET). After March 10th, spotting Mercury with the naked eye in the evening sky becomes increasingly challenging. Its last visible appearance occurs on March 12th.
Planetary Encounters
On March 9th, the two planets closest to the sun, Mercury and Venus, will cross paths. On March 1st, an intriguing celestial display occurs when the slender crescent of the waxing moon hovers between Mercury and Venus.
Mars: Waning Luminosity
Mars has concluded its opposition period, which is evident in its rapidly fading brightness. The Red Planet can be found high in the southern evening sky. Its sunset times advance from 5:30 AM (CET) at the beginning of the month to 4:40 AM (CEST) at the end of March.
Jupiter: Retreating from View
Jupiter recedes into the early night sky. It noticeably accelerates its journey through the constellation Taurus, distancing itself from Aldebaran, Taurus’s orange primary star. The giant planet continues to dominate the starry sky with its brilliance until its descent shortly after midnight.
Saturn: Unseen Companion
Saturn, located in the constellation Aquarius, stays above the horizon with the sun during the day, remaining unobservable at night.
Spring Stellarium
As March ushers in springtime, the evening sky transforms. Winter constellations still capture attention but have migrated westward. Orion the Hunter prepares to descend in the southwest, while Sirius glimmers bluish-white in the same direction. Procyon, the brightest star in Canis Minor, shines higher still. Taurus, with its orange primary star Aldebaran, stands far to the west. Gemini, with the twin stars Castor and Pollux, remains high in the northwest. Capella, the bright star in Auriga, gleams in the northwest.
Cassiopeia, the celestial "W," has dipped towards the northwest horizon, while the Big Dipper, high in the northeast, nearly reaches the zenith, aiding in locating Polaris, the North Star.
Leo the Lion, with its bluish primary star Regulus, stands proud in the southern sky, approaching the meridian. Leo serves as the guiding constellation of the spring sky. Arcturus, the orange star in Boötes, has risen low in the east. Virgo assumes its position in the southeast, with its bluish primary star Spica visible just above the southeastern horizon. Thus, the Spring Triangle, formed by Regulus, Arcturus, and Spica, is complete.
Cancer, an inconspicuous constellation nestled between Gemini and Leo, is not easily discernible due to light pollution and air contamination. However, its name holds significance as it belongs to the zodiac, the 13 constellations through which the sun transits year after year.
According to mythology, Cancer pinches the hero Hercules on the big toe during his battle with the monstrous Hydra. In retaliation, Hercules crushes Cancer with a powerful stomp. The vengeful Juno places Cancer among the stars.
The Beehive Cluster, or Praesepe, is located within Cancer. To the naked eye, it appears as a faint patch of light. Through binoculars, a multitude of stars become visible.
Equinox and Summer Time
On March 20th, at exactly 10:01 AM (CET), the sun crosses the celestial equator, transitioning to the northern hemisphere of the sky. This moment signifies the astronomical beginning of spring, known as the vernal equinox or spring equinocti
