Meetings and events

Astronomy news - March 2025

29 March: Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse will take place on the 29th March. From Stirling, the eclipse will be visible from 10:05 until 12:00, with approximately 40% coverage at the maximum. Remember to take appropriate safety precautions and never look directly at the Sun.

14 March: Lunar Eclipse
A total lunar eclipse will take place on the 14th March. The full eclipse will be seen in north and south America. From the UK, only the start of the total phase will be visible, from around 05:10 until the Moon sets.

02 March: Blue Ghost lands safely
The Blue Ghost lunar lander mission touched down in Mare Crisium on the morning of the 2nd March. The first images from the lunar surface were transmitted shortly after landing, confirming that the commercially-operated lander, carrying 10 NASA scientific instruments, had landed safely on the surface.

6-29 March: Moon Phases
6 March: First Quarter (06:31)
14 March: Full Moon (06:54)
22 March: Third Quarter (11:29)
29 March: New Moon (10:57)

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27 February - 2 March: Mercury, Venus and Moon
The planet Mercury is approaching greatest elongation and will be visible briefly in the evening twilight over the next few nights. From approximately 18:15 to 18:30 and in a clear sky, look for Mercury close to the horizon below the much brighter Venus. Higher up, and later in the evening, Jupiter is above the Hyades in Taurus, and Mars close to Castor and Pollux, making a total of four planets visible to the naked eye. On the 1st and 2nd of March, Mercury and Venus will be joined by a very thin crescent Moon.

9 February: Moon and Mars conjunction
The poor weather may have spoiled the view of last month's conjunction but there will be another chance this month. This month's pass, on the evening of the 9th Feb, will be even closer than last time, with the red planet almost grazing the Moon's southern limb close to Tycho and Clavius. The timing is also much more convenient, with closest approach at 19:00.

5-28 February: Moon Phases
5 February: First Quarter (08:02)
12 February: Full Moon (13:53)
20 February: Third Quarter (17:32)
28 February: New Moon (00:44)

14 January: Moon and Mars conjunction
In the early hours of Tuesday 14 January, the Full Moon will pass within half a degree of Mars. Closest approach will be at 04:20. Mars is currently at opposition so will be especially bright, making this a conjunction. In the United States, Mars will actually be occulted by the Moon, but from the UK it will still be a very close pass, within the apparent diameter of the Moon.

03-04 January: Moon Venus and Saturn
The evenings of the 3rd and 4th January will see two close conjunctions. On Friday 03 January, the crescent Moon passes within two degrees of Venus, and on Saturday 04 January, the Moon will pass in front of Saturn. Look to the West shortly after sunset on both evenings to see these conjunctions of the crescent Moon, Venus and Saturn.

01 January: First Aurora of 2025
Solar activity remains high as we start the New Year. The Aurora Borealis was seen on the evening of New Year's Day. Further activity can be expected over the first few months of 2025.

6-29 January: Moon Phases
6 January: First Quarter (23:56)
13 January: Full Moon (22:26)
21 January: Third Quarter (20:30)
29 January: New Moon (12:35)