March 2026 presents a treasure trove for skywatchers, featuring a total lunar eclipse as its centerpiece. Visible from western North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Eastern Asia, the eclipse will turn the moon a coppery-red for 58 minutes in the early hours of March 3.
The month also brings a series of photogenic celestial events. A slender crescent moon will meet Venus on March 20, while from March 11-22, dark skies will be ideal for deep-sky photography. Later, the moon will glide past the Pleiades star cluster (March 22-23) and then Jupiter (March 25-26).
Northern Hemisphere observers can also enjoy seasonal views of constellations like Orion and Taurus before they fade from the evening sky. The vernal equinox on March 20 marks the official start of spring in the north.
Astrophotographers are advised to use DSLR or mirrorless cameras with telephoto lenses on tripods to capture these events, particularly the lunar eclipse and planetary conjunctions.