Monday, March 24, 2025

Donโ€™t Miss This Weekโ€™s Skywatching Highlights โ€“ Plus a Partial Solar Eclipse!

Farewell to winterโ€™s night sky, a dazzling eclipse, and a challenge to spot the slim crescent moon
Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version
March 24, 2025
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What's Up This Week?
Hello Skywatchers!

This week brings a mix of farewells and new celestial sights. The last traces of the winter Milky Way are fading into the western horizon, and the Winter Triangle makes one of its final evening appearances. But the biggest event of the week is the partial solar eclipse on March 29, offering a striking view for skywatchers across Europe, northeastern North America, and beyond โ€” be sure to check out our in-depth guide for all the details! Plus, don't miss the challenge of spotting an ultra-thin crescent moon after sunset on Sunday.

Here's what's happening in the night sky this week!

Clear skies,

Daisy

Reference Editor, Space.com

Wednesday, March 26 — Last Look at the Winter Milky Way
(Starry Night)

As twilight fades, the final traces of winter's night sky stretch across the west. Look from Monoceros in the southwest to Cassiopeia in the northwest, and you'll see bright planets and famous constellations glowing against the soft band of the winter Milky Way. Jupiter shines in the west, with Aldebaran and the Pleiades below, Capella to the right, and Mars to the left. Beyond Jupiter, Orion's stars and the dazzling Sirius complete the scene. Find a dark-sky spot and enjoy this view before these winter gems sink below the horizon.

More Highlights
Friday, March 28 — The Winter Triangle's Farewell
(Starry Night)

Catch this winter night sight while you can! Just after dark, look south to find Sirius, the brightest star, with Orion's Belt pointing straight at it. Above Sirius, Procyon in Canis Minor shines to the left, and Betelgeuse in Orion glows to the right, forming the Winter Triangle. Extend those lines further, and you'll find Mars and Jupiter, adding to the spectacle. 

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Saturday, March 29 — Partial Solar Eclipse
(SOPA Images/Getty Images)

A partial solar eclipse will grace the sky today, with the moon covering up to 94% of the sun at its peak. The eclipse will be visible across the northeastern U.S., Canada, Greenland, most of Europe, and parts of Africa and Russia. It begins at 4:50 a.m. EDT (0850 GMT) and reaches its maximum at 6:47 a.m. EDT (1047 GMT) over Hudson Bay, Canada. Remember: Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection.

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Sunday, March 30 — A Delicate Crescent Moon
(Starry Night)

Here's a sight few ever catch โ€” a whisper-thin 3% waxing crescent moon just after sunset. Look low in the west, directly below bright Jupiter. It's faint, so binoculars may help reveal it. For skywatchers in the U.K., don't forget โ€” clocks go forward by an hour tonight!

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Moon Calendar
Partial Solar Eclipse — Everything You Need to Know
(Allison Bailey/Getty Images)

The highlight of this week's lunar phases will undoubtedly be the new moon, which coincides with a partial solar eclipse on March 29. During this event, the moon will partially obscure the sun's disk. 

The eclipse will be visible across much of Europe and the far eastern regions of North America. The timing of the event varies by location, with the first sighting of the partial eclipse beginning at 4:50 a.m. EDT (0850 GMT).

Remember, it is NEVER safe to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. To view every stage of the partial solar eclipse safely, you'll need specialized solar protection, such as eclipse glasses or a solar filter for telescopes or binoculars.
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Your Amazing Astrophotos
Stunning space photo captures bright blue shock wave around double star system
(Miguel Claro)

This beautiful deep-field image of the Cassiopeia constellation, bathed in the glow of ionized hydrogen gas, was captured by photographer Miguel Claro. It showcases two remarkable planetary nebulas โ€” Abell 6 (left) and the larger HFG1 (right). These delicate structures are the remnants of dying medium-sized stars, much like our own sun, offering a glimpse into the final stages of stellar evolution.

Read More
Telescopes & Binoculars
Solar viewing deals 2025: safely observe the sun for less
(Getty Images/Getty Images)
Want to make the most of the partial eclipse on March 29? We have rounded up the best deals on the equipment you need to watch it in safety.
Full Story: Space/news (3/19) 
Which is better for astrophotography? Sony, Canon or Nikon?
(Mariana Suarez/Getty Images)
Three giants in the camera industry โ€” but which one has the best astrophotography features for you?
Full Story: Space (3/20) 

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