March is shaping up to be an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts, as it is marked by a series of celestial events, including a full lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse. The lunar eclipse will commence just before midnight on March 13, culminating in a breathtaking blood-red moon. This will be the only lunar eclipse visible from New York City in 2023, making it a must-see event for stargazers.
The lunar eclipse is set to begin at 11:57 p.m. on March 13, as the moon enters the shadow of the Earth. This shadow will block any direct light from the sun, transforming the moon into a stunning blood-red hue between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. By around 3 a.m., the entire moon will be enveloped in the Earth’s shadow. New Yorkers will not have another opportunity to witness a full lunar eclipse until March 2026. Kathy Quinn Vaccari, a member of the executive committee of the Amateur Astronomers, describes the experience as “magical,” noting, “It’s one of the prettiest things that you can see in the sky.”
After the lunar eclipse, New Yorkers can look forward to a partial solar eclipse on the morning of March 29. As you sip your morning coffee, keep an eye on the horizon at sunrise, when approximately 30% of the sun will be obscured by the moon, reaching its maximum at 6:46 a.m. Remember to use eclipse viewing glasses from last year’s solar event to safely observe this stunning phenomenon. Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, explains, “If you wake up on the morning of March 29, you'll notice that the sun is rising with a little bite taken out of it.”
March also heralds the arrival of the spring equinox, occurring on March 20. This astronomical event marks the transition from winter to spring and is a moment when day and night are of equal length. Faherty emphasizes the significance of the equinox, stating, “It’s something to look forward to because it is the first day of spring, but also it's an astronomical moment.” Stargazers will have one last chance to view the visible planets as they gradually fade from sight.
Throughout March, several planets will grace the night sky. On March 1, the planet Venus, known as the solar system's hottest planet, will appear next to the moon, providing a brilliant sight just after sunset. However, by the end of the month, Venus will become invisible. Vaccari notes, “There's nothing as bright as Venus, except for the moon.”
Additionally, on March 5, Jupiter and the Pleiades star cluster will align near the moon, accompanied by the red star Aldebaran. Mars will join the moon on March 8, alongside the stars Castor and Pollux from the constellation Gemini. As spring approaches, the constellation Leo will start to dominate the evening skies, with the star Regulus, located at the heart of the lion, appearing next to the moon on March 11. “The first sign of spring, which everybody looks for, is the backward question mark of Leo the Lion,” Vaccari remarks.
In a positive turn for skywatchers, recent news indicates that New Yorkers and Earthlings no longer need to worry about a potential city-killer asteroid. The asteroid YR4, which made headlines for having a 2% chance of impacting Earth in 2032, has had its risk of collision downgraded to nearly zero by NASA scientists. Faherty quips, “Luckily, Asteroid 2024 YR4 is now just entering the history books.” However, it’s worth noting that the asteroid still poses a slight threat to the moon, with a 2% chance of impact on December 22, 2032. Fortunately, this asteroid is not large enough to cause significant damage to the lunar surface.
This March, New Yorkers have the unique opportunity to witness a series of celestial events, including the stunning full lunar eclipse, the partial solar eclipse, and the arrival of the spring equinox. With so much to see in the night sky, stargazers are encouraged to mark their calendars and prepare for an unforgettable month of astronomical wonders.
