Spring is at the doorstep of this new month of March 2024, where, in addition to welcoming a new climate, we will experience the time change. It’s all good news. Also, in this year’s lunar calendar, we will be gifted with the third major full moon, known as the Worm Moon.
The third month of the year comes with various astronomical events that undoubtedly make us partake in an atmosphere filled with brightness, joy, and new beginnings. Additionally, it is said that March will begin with the Moon in Scorpio and end with the luminary in Sagittarius.
Astronomical Calendar of March 2024: A Month Full of Brilliance
We share with you all the astronomical events of March 2024. Note on your calendar when the full moon is and at what time the spring equinox begins.
This story was written in Spanish by Perla Vallejo in Ecoosfera.
Lunar Calendar of March 2024
Lunar Phases, Eclipses, and Meteor Showers Lunar phases in March During this month of March, we will enjoy four lunar phases, starting with a last quarter and ending the month with a full moon.
- Last Quarter: March 3, under the sign of Sagittarius (16:23 hours)
- New Moon: March 10, under the sign of Pisces (10:00 hours)
- First Quarter: March 17 (5:11 hours), under the sign of Gemini
- Full Moon: March 25 (8:00 hours), under the sign of Libra, known as the Worm Moon
- Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: March 25. Visible in America, western Europe (Spain), Africa, and eastern Australia.
Spring Equinox 2024
In March, there will be a full moon on the 25th known as the Worm Moon, in the constellation of Leo. Its origin is in coincidence with the spring equinox, which marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring.
The spring equinox will begin on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, starting at 23:25 hours (CST). This season will last for 92 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes in the northern hemisphere, ending around June 21st.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
According to INAOE, the astronomical phenomenon will begin on March 24 at 22:53 and will culminate on March 25 at 03:32, CST.
According to information from Starwalk Space, during the eclipse, 98% of the Moon’s surface will be covered by the Earth’s penumbra and will be visible from North and South America, northeastern Asia, and large parts of Europe, Africa, and Australia.
Occultation of Antares
On rare occasions, the Moon can pass in front of a bright star or planet, resulting in a phenomenon called “occultation,” similar to an eclipse. On March 3rd, the Moon will pass in front of the star Antares (α Sco), leading to the lunar occultation.
Antares is a red supergiant star located about 600 light-years from Earth, and its brightness is 10 thousand times greater than that of Earth’s natural satellite, making it a remarkable spectacle. It will occur between 00:53 and 05:09 CST.
Open Cluster M41
On March 9th, the Little Beehive Cluster or NGC 2287 will be well positioned for observation during the first part of the night. Point your telescope towards the constellation of Canis Major, in the southeast part of the celestial sphere, to see the star cluster.
Gamma Norminids Meteor Shower
The activity for this meteor shower will occur between February 25th and March 28th; however, the peak of its occurrence will be in the early hours of March 14th with 6 meteors per hour.
Approach of comet C/2021 S3 (PanSTARRS) to Earth
Another significant event that will occur on March 14th is the approach of the comet to our planet. A short-period celestial body discovered on September 24th, 2021, and will be visible only with the help of a telescope.
