What’s Up in the Night Sky? – March 2021

Fred Barrett | Mar 03, 2021

The landing on Mars of the rover Perseverance on February 18th had to be the best live action adventure I’ve watched since the last rover landing. The sophisticated technology that allows these rovers to land successfully, time after time, is simply breathtaking.

Speaking of Mars, it’s in a great position to observe shortly after sunset in early March. It can be found just above the Pleiades star cluster. Go out just after sunset and look south. Find the hourglass shape of the constellation Orion. Searching up and to the right of Orion you will see the star cluster called the Hyades and within it sits the bright red giant star that astronomers call Aldebaran and myth names the glowering eye of the constellation Taurus, the Bull. A little farther and higher to the right is the Pleiades star cluster. In the early days of March, Mars is just below the Pleiades. It is a match in brightness to Aldebaran but will fade somewhat as the month progresses. By midmonth, Mars will have drifted eastwards and pass just north of the Hyades star cluster. The Moon joins the show on the 18th and 19th. Mars, the Moon and Aldebaran form a lovely triangle on the 19th. Mars continues on serenely to the east and passes north of Aldebaran on the 22nd. With an average pair of binoculars, you can follow this show all through the month as a treat just after sunset.

Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and the Moon are nice cluster just before dawn in the southeast on March 10th.

There are no meteor showers this Month but the Zodiacal light is especially fine for viewing during the first 2 weeks of March. There are 2 reasons for this. The ecliptic is inclined steeply to the western horizon and the Moon is not around. When you’re out looking at Mars and the glow of sunset is gone, have a look for the cone shaped light rising up through Taurus and Mars. The Zodiacal light will again becomes nicely viewable at the end of March and into April.

Don’t forget that Daylight Savings time begins at 2 am, Sunday the 14th. Set your clocks ahead Saturday night before bed.

Monthly highlights: March 2 - The Moon is at Perigee – 363,300 Kms. March 5: Last Quarter Moon. March 13: New Moon. March 14: Daylight Savings begins at 2 am. March 18: The Moon is at Apogee – 403,000 Kms. March 20: Vernal (spring) Equinox. March 21: First Quarter Moon. March 22: Mars passes 7 degrees north of Aldebaran. 8 pm EDT March 28: Full Moon. This one is called the Pexsisen (Blossoming Out) Full Moon. A couple of other names are Full Worm Moon, Sugar Moon and Snow Crust Moon. All are equally and accurately descriptive. I’m calling my Full Moon the Sugar/Snow Crust Full Moon because I plan to be out pushing through snow crust to collect Maple sap to boil.

That’s a wrap. Keep looking up!

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is a marvelous resource for amateur astronomers. It has simple to expert information and books to help you develop your skills and make your journey a rewarding experience. The RASC info is at: www.rasc.ca/publications. A subscription to our very own excellent Canadian astronomy magazine “SkyNews” can be arranged at the RASC website as well.

Let me know how your observing has gone this month, especially anything unusual. I enjoy the feedback. If you have any questions or suggestions you can contact me through this paper or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Clear Skies! Fred.