What’s Up March 2025

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

Welcome to March’s Whats Up, the first month of Spring in 2025. The murk of mid February seems to have moved on now and we’re getting some clear nights at the time of writing. Hopefully you’ve been able to make the most of them!
March also brings the spring equinox which is a time of year when the solar wind can interact with Earths magnetic field more easily. We’re also at solar max so fingers crossed for a few X class flares and aurora!

Oh and don’t forget to alter the clocks on the 29th

This Months York Astro Presentations

This month we can look forward to

Other upcoming events

Upcoming events to put in your diary

Date	Title	Speaker
21/03/2025	Building a Radio Telescope	Rod Hine
04/04/2025	Stellar Winds: Givers and Takers of Life	Brad Gibson

For further details see the events page Astronomy Presentations by guest speakers | York Astro and our Facebook group (20+) The York Astronomical Society Chat Group | Facebook

And in the night sky this month we can look forward to:-

So what’s on this month?

At the start of the month, Cepheus is positioned almost due north, with Cassiopeia’s ‘W’ to its west. Cepheus, resembling a house gable or church steeple, straddles the Milky Way. A standout feature is μ Cephei (Garnet Star), a deep red red supergiant about 1,400 times the Sun’s diameter, extending beyond Jupiter’s orbit if placed in our Solar System. In comparison, Betelgeuse in Orion is 500 times the Sun’s size.

Another key star is δ Cephei, the prototype Cepheid variable, which pulsates with a regular pattern. This relationship between brightness variation and actual luminosity allows astronomers to calculate distances in space, making Cepheids crucial to measuring the scale of the universe.

To the east of Cepheus, Deneb (α Cygni) is visible just above the horizon, while slightly northeast, Vega (α Lyrae) is higher in the sky. From southern Britain, Deneb remains circumpolar, though low and difficult to see in early months, while Vega disappears entirely during winter.

Looking South early March, the zodiacal constellation Cancer is positioned between Gemini (west) and Leo (east), high above Hydra’s head. Though faint and unremarkable, Cancer features the M44 Praesepe (Beehive Cluster) at its center. Visible as a hazy spot to the naked eye, binoculars reveal dozens of stars in this anciently known open cluster.

Also prominent is Leo, easily identified by its backward question mark (Sickle), representing the lion’s head. The brightest star, Regulus (α Leonis), marks the dot of the question mark or the Sickle’s handle. Close to the ecliptic, Regulus is occasionally occulted by the Moon, though no such events occur in 2025.

We also have a partial solar eclipse and a total lunar eclipse.

Sky Diary

This table captures the astronomical events for March, including phases of the moon, planetary alignments, and other notable occurrences.

Date	Event
March 1	Mercury 0.4°N of Moon (04:03 UTC)
March 1	Moon at perigee: 361,967 km (21:18 UTC)
March 4	Double shadow transit on Jupiter (23:46 UT, 02:21 UT)
March 4	Mercury at perihelion (14:00 UTC)
March 5	Pleiades 0.6°S of Moon (12:32 UTC)
March 6	Jupiter 5.5°S of Moon (11:31 UTC)
March 6	First Quarter Moon (16:32 UTC)
March 8	Mercury at greatest elongation: 18.2°E
March 9	Mars 1.7°S of Moon (00:27 UTC)
March 9	Pollux 2.1°N of Moon (11:06 UTC)
March 12	Regulus 2.4°S of Moon (06:07 UTC)
March 14	Full Moon (06:55 UTC)
March 14	Total Lunar Eclipse (Mag. 1.178, 06:59 UTC)
March 16	Spica 0.3°N of Moon (19:16 UTC)
March 17	Moon at apogee: 405,754 km (16:37 UTC)
March 20	Vernal Equinox (09:02 UTC)
March 20	Antares 0.5°N of Moon (15:58 UTC)
March 22	Last Quarter Moon (11:29 UTC)
March 23	Venus at Inferior Conjunction
March 23	Saturn’s Ring Plane Crossing
March 24	Mercury at Inferior Conjunction
March 29	Partial Solar Eclipse (Mag. 0.938, 10:47 UTC)
March 29	New Moon (10:58 UTC)
March 29	Mars 3.9°S of Pollux (19:29 UTC)
March 30	Moon at perigee: 358,127 km (05:26 UTC)
March 31	Ideal deep-sky viewing conditions

Sky Maps

Looking South on the 15th at 22:00

Looking North on the 15th at 22:00

The two charts above show all DSOs of magnitude 6.0 or brighter. They are both taken from
SkyViewCafe.com and correct for the 15th of the month. For a clickable list of Messier objects with images, use the Wikipedia link.

March Objects

The Sun

The Sun in March 2025

What to Expect from the Sun in March 2025?

For space weather enthusiasts in the UK, March 2025 promises an active month for solar and geomagnetic activity, with good chances of sunspot viewing, increased auroras, and occasional radio disruptions.

1. Sunspot Activity and Solar Flux

The 10.7 cm solar flux starts at 195 SFU (Solar Flux Units) and dips to a low of 155 SFU by March 10, before rising again to 200 SFU by March 22. This indicates moderate to high solar activity, meaning sunspot groups and active regions on the Sun’s surface should be visible.

For us, this means:

Great opportunities to observe sunspots through solar telescopes and safe solar filters.

2. Geomagnetic Activity and Aurora Prospects in the UK

The Planetary A Index, which measures geomagnetic activity, suggests several periods of disturbance, with notable spikes:

March 9 (A Index = 25, Kp = 5) – Possible geomagnetic storm, meaning increased auroral activity visible from Scotland and northern England, with faint chances as far south as Wales and the Midlands.
March 12-14 (A Index = 25-30, Kp = 5) – Stronger disturbances, potentially caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), increasing aurora visibility across the UK.
March 15-18 (A Index = 15-20, Kp = 3-4) – Continued moderate disturbances, meaning more frequent auroras for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Best Aurora Viewing Opportunities for the UK

March 9 & March 12-14: Look north after dark for possible auroral displays, especially from Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England.
Mid-latitude auroras may be visible during intense activity, so keep an eye out from Wales and the Midlands on the strongest storm nights.
Optimal times: Between 10 PM and 3 AM GMT, away from city lights.

Resources

For more info on the sun and solar weather look here : –

Space Weather Enthusiasts Dashboard | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

Auroa Forecasts

A bit US centred but still useful

Aurora Dashboard (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

And our own Met-office have an excellent space weather forecast page here Space Weather – Met Office

Partial Solar Eclipse – March 29, 2025 (York, UK)

Overview

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK, with the Moon covering a significant portion of the Sun. The extent of the eclipse will vary depending on location.

Visibility in the UK

Scotland (Northwest): Up to nearly 50% of the Sun’s disc will be obscured.
Southeast England: Approximately less than a third of the Sun will be covered.
York, England: Observers can expect around 38–42% of the Sun’s disc to be obscured at maximum eclipse.

Key Eclipse Timings for York, England (Approximate)

Eclipse Begins: ~10:06 AM GMT
Maximum Eclipse: ~11:02 AM GMT
Eclipse Ends: ~11:59 AM GMT

Note: These times are approximate and may vary slightly depending on exact location.

What to Expect

The Sun will appear as a crescent during the maximum phase.
Ambient light will dim slightly, and shadows may appear sharper.
Unlike a total eclipse, there will be no period of complete darkness.

Safety Precautions

NEVER look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.
Use certified solar viewing glasses or indirect methods like a pinhole projector.
Ensure that any telescopes or binoculars are equipped with appropriate solar filters.

The Moon

March Lunar Calendar

March’s moon calendar from Sky View Café (skyviewcafe.com)
A full yearly lunar calendar can be found here :-

https://www.mooninfo.org/moon-phases/2025.html

The Moons Positions in March

Date	Event
March 1	Mercury 0.4°N of Moon (04:03 UTC)
March 1	Moon at perigee: 361,967 km (21:18 UTC)
March 5	Pleiades 0.6°S of Moon (12:32 UTC)
March 6	Jupiter 5.5°S of Moon (11:31 UTC)
March 6	First Quarter Moon (16:32 UTC)
March 9	Mars 1.7°S of Moon (00:27 UTC)
March 9	Pollux 2.1°N of Moon (11:06 UTC)
March 12	Regulus 2.4°S of Moon (06:07 UTC)
March 14	Full Moon (06:55 UTC)
March 14	Total Lunar Eclipse (Mag. 1.178, 06:59 UTC)
March 16	Spica 0.3°N of Moon (19:16 UTC)
March 17	Moon at apogee: 405,754 km (16:37 UTC)
March 20	Antares 0.5°N of Moon (15:58 UTC)
March 22	Last Quarter Moon (11:29 UTC)
March 29	New Moon (10:58 UTC)
March 30	Moon at perigee: 358,127 km (05:26 UTC)

Moon Feature

Ok a bit of a hard one this month, but I’m sure you’re all up to it!

Rimae Hypatia

Rimae Hypatia is a network of sinuous rilles, believed to be remnants of ancient lava tubes or collapsed lava channels. Unlike typical impact craters, rilles like Rimae Hypatia are thought to have formed by subsurface lava flows, providing insight into the Moon’s internal processes.

Rimae Hypatia is a relatively difficult lunar feature to spot, making it a great challenge for intermediate and advanced observers using moderate-to-large telescopes (100mm or more)

Catching its delicate structure requires good lighting conditions, particularly around the First Quarter Moon.

Rimae Hypatia can be found just south of the Apollo 11 landing site and nearby crater Moltke.

Best Times to Observe Rimae Hypatia in March 2025

March 5–7 (First Quarter Moon) – The best time to see Rimae Hypatia as sunlight casts dramatic shadows, enhancing contrast.

March 20–22 (Last Quarter Moon) – The rilles will be visible under different lighting conditions from the opposite direction.

Total Lunar Eclipse – March 14, 2025 (York, UK)

Key Eclipse Timings for York, England (GMT)

Eclipse Phase	Time (GMT)
Penumbral Eclipse Begins	03:57 AM
Partial Eclipse Begins	04:58 AM
Total Eclipse Begins	06:02 AM
Maximum Eclipse	06:59 AM
Moonset	06:54 AM
Total Eclipse Ends (Not visible)	07:56 AM
Partial Eclipse Ends (Not visible)	09:01 AM
Penumbral Eclipse Ends (Not visible)	10:02 AM

Note: The Moon sets at approx 06:54 AM GMT in York, during the maximum phase of the eclipse. Therefore, observers will not be able to see the end of the total eclipse or the subsequent phases.

What to Expect

Early Morning Observation: The eclipse will commence in the early hours, with the total phase beginning at 06:02 AM. The Moon will set shortly after, at 06:54 AM, during the peak of the eclipse.
Limited Visibility: Since the Moon sets before the total eclipse concludes, observers in York will witness the onset and peak of totality but will miss the latter stages as the Moon dips below the horizon.
Western Horizon Viewing: To maximize your viewing experience, find a location with an unobstructed view of the western horizon, as the Moon will be low in the sky during the eclipse.

Planets

Mercury

Mercury is visible in the evening sky from March 8, about 30 minutes after sunset. It starts the month as a small, bright disc at magnitude -0.9, and by March 12, it appears 5.6° from Venus. Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation (18.2° from the Sun) on March 8, making it one of the best opportunities to view the planet. However, by March 24, it reaches inferior conjunction, transitioning into the morning sky.

Venus

Venus is an evening planet in March, but it slowly moves closer to the Sun throughout the month. On March 1, it shines at magnitude -4.2, setting three hours after sunset. By March 2, a 10.2%-lit waxing crescent Moon appears close to Venus, offering a stunning sight. Venus continues to descend lower in the sky, reaching inferior conjunction on March 23, after which it will become a morning planet.

Mars

Mars remains a notable target in March, though it continues to shrink in size following opposition in January. Located in Gemini, it reaches a peak altitude of 63° in the early evening, making it an excellent target for telescopic observations. On March 9, it appears 56 arcseconds south of the 74%-lit waxing gibbous Moon. By the end of the month, its angular diameter reduces further, but polar caps and surface markings remain visible in good conditions.

Jupiter

Jupiter is positioned in the western sky during evening twilight, but gradually sets earlier as the month progresses. It reaches a peak altitude of 58° under deep twilight, but by March 31, it sets by 20:00 UT, making it increasingly difficult to observe. On March 5, a 41%-lit waxing crescent Moon is visible 8.4° northwest of Jupiter.

Saturn

Saturn is not visible in March due to its solar conjunction on March 12. It will return to the morning sky in the coming months.

Uranus

Uranus is best viewed on March 1, reaching a peak altitude of 58° in Aries during early evening. By March 31, Uranus is just 14° above the horizon at 20:45 UT, making it increasingly difficult to observe. Under clear, dark skies, it remains a good target for binoculars or small telescopes.

Neptune

Neptune is not visible in March as it reaches solar conjunction, making it too close to the Sun for observation.

Meteor Showers

There are no major northern hemisphere meteor showers occurring in March 2025. During March, observers might spot sporadic meteors, but no organised meteor streams reach their peak visibility during this month.

Comets

Date	Comet Name	Magnitude
25 Feb	C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)	13.59
25 Feb	29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1	13.29
25 Feb	13P/Olbers	13.21
Nothing new this month

Link here for further details of each comet and how to locate it.
Visual Comets in the Future (Northern Hemisphere) (aerith.net)

Deep Sky (DSO’s)

Ok, this month we’re looking at some of the more unusual objects found in

LEO

Leo I – A Rare Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

Type: Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy (dSph)
Magnitude: ~11.2
Location: ~12 arcminutes north of Regulus (Alpha Leonis)
Distance: ~820,000 light-years
Why It’s Unusual:

One of the closest galaxies to the Milky Way, part of the Local Group.
Very difficult to see due to the glare of Regulus—requires long-exposure imaging or a large telescope.
No current star formation, making it an interesting target for studying the evolution of early galaxies.
How to Observe:

Best spotted under dark skies with a 10” or larger telescope.
Use a high-contrast filter to reduce glare from Regulus.

APOD Link

APOD: 2012 January 10 – Bright Star Regulus near the Leo I Dwarf Galaxy

The “Cosmic Horseshoe” (SDSS J1004+4112) – A Gravitational Lens in Leo

Type: Strongly Gravitationally Lensed Quasar
Magnitude: ~17.5
Location: Near the Leo Triplet (~3.3 billion light-years away)
Why It’s Unusual:

A rare example of an Einstein Ring where a distant quasar’s light is warped into a horseshoe shape by a foreground galaxy.
One of the best gravitational lenses visible in amateur telescopes.
How to Observe:

Very faint—requires a large telescope (14”+) and dark skies.
Photographically detectable with long-exposure astrophotography.

Link

Artificial intelligence finds 56 new gravitational lens candidates | Human World | EarthSky

The Ghost of Jupiter Cluster (ACO 1367) – A Supercluster in Leo

Type: Galaxy Cluster
Magnitude: ~13-15 (various galaxies)
Location: Near NGC 3842, about 330 million light-years away
Why It’s Unusual:

Part of the Leo Supercluster, an enormous collection of galaxies beyond the Local Group.
Includes several giant elliptical galaxies, like NGC 3842, which has one of the largest black holes known (~10 billion solar masses).
Named for its faint, ghostly appearance in long-exposure images.
How to Observe:

Use a 10” or larger telescope under very dark skies.
Long-exposure imaging reveals multiple galaxies in one frame.

APOD Link

APOD: 2019 July 11 – The Ghost of Jupiter’s Halo

NGC 3384 & NGC 3412 – A Rare Pair of Elliptical Lenticular Galaxies in Leo

Type: Lenticular Galaxies (SB0)
Magnitude: NGC 3384 (~10.9), NGC 3412 (~11.4)
Location: Near the famous galaxy M105
Distance: ~35 million light-years

Why They’re Unusual:

Both galaxies lack significant star formation, making them a transition type between elliptical and spiral galaxies.
NGC 3384 has an unusual fast-rotating central disk, thought to be remnants of an old spiral galaxy that lost its gas.
NGC 3412 features a large central bar, despite being lenticular, challenging traditional galaxy classification.

How to Observe:

Easily spotted with a moderate telescope (8” or larger) under dark skies.
Located just 8 arcminutes from M105, making it a great trio of galaxies for deep-sky imaging.

APOD Link

ngc3384 — AAPOD2.COM

ISS and other orbiting bits

Date	Visible	Max Height	Appears	Disappears
Thu Feb 27, 4:53 AM	3 min	56°	55° above SSW	10° above ESE
Fri Feb 28, 4:07 AM	2 min	25°	25° above ESE	10° above ESE
Fri Feb 28, 5:40 AM	5 min	35°	19° above WSW	10° above SE
Sat Mar 1, 4:54 AM	3 min	43°	43° above SSW	10° above SE
Sun Mar 2, 4:08 AM	1 min	21°	21° above ESE	10° above ESE
Sun Mar 2, 5:41 AM	4 min	21°	17° above WSW	10° above SSE
Mon Mar 3, 4:55 AM	2 min	26°	26° above S	10° above SE
Tue Mar 4, 4:09 AM	1 min	14°	14° above SE	10° above SE
Tue Mar 4, 5:42 AM	2 min	11°	11° above SW	10° above SSW
Wed Mar 5, 4:56 AM	1 min	13°	13° above S	10° above S