March is a great time to stargaze as winter constellations begin to set earlier in the evening and spring constellations rise to prominence. This month also marks the vernal equinox, meaning night and day are nearly equal in length. Below is your guide to the best celestial sights this month.

Circumpolar Constellations (Best Viewed Between 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time)
Circumpolar constellations never set and are visible year-round, but their position changes throughout the night. In March, they are particularly well-placed for observation at these hours:

  • Ursa Major (The Great Bear) – Easily identifiable by the Big Dipper asterism, which can be used to find other stars.
  • Ursa Minor (The Little Bear) – Contains Polaris, the North Star, which remains fixed in the sky.
  • Draco (The Dragon) – A winding constellation between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
  • Cassiopeia (The Queen) – A distinctive “W”-shaped constellation that circles around Polaris.
  • Cepheus (The King) – A dimmer constellation near Cassiopeia, shaped like a house.

Seasonal Constellations (March – Looking East, South, and West at 10:00 p.m.)
Eastern Sky

  • Virgo (The Maiden) – A large constellation rising in the east. Look for its brightest star, Spica, a blue-white giant.
  • Boötes (The Herdsman) – Home to Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
  • Corona Borealis (The Northern Crown) – A semicircular arc of stars between Boötes and Hercules.

Southern Sky

  • Leo (The Lion) – One of the major constellations of spring, identifiable by the Sickle asterism, which looks like a backward question mark. The bright star Regulus marks the lion’s heart.
  • Hydra (The Water Snake) – The longest constellation in the sky, stretching across the south.

Western Sky

  • Orion (The Hunter) – Slowly setting in the west, but still visible early in the night. Look for Orion’s Belt and Betelgeuse (a red supergiant).
  • Canis Major (The Great Dog) – Contains Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
  • Gemini (The Twins) – Home to the bright stars Castor and Pollux.

Tips & Tricks for March Stargazing

  • Use the Big Dipper as a Guide – The two stars at the end of the Big Dipper’s bowl point directly to Polaris. Following the arc of the handle leads to Arcturus in Boötes.
  • Best Times for Viewing – The vernal equinox (around March 20) means nights are getting shorter, so start observing as soon as it gets dark.
  • Avoid Light Pollution – Find a dark-sky location away from city lights for better visibility.
  • Use a Star Chart or App – Sky maps can help you locate constellations quickly.
  • Binoculars for a Better View – A simple pair of binoculars can enhance your ability to see star clusters, nebulae, and even Jupiter’s moons.

March is a great transition month for stargazing, with winter constellations still visible early and spring constellations taking over. Enjoy the changing night sky!