SkyEye

The Calendar

The Solar System

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for 'wanderer'. Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars. Dwarf planets and small solar-system bodies, including comets, are not so constrained, often moving far above or below the ecliptic.

Sun Aquarius → Pisces

The solar south pole is most inclined toward the Earth early this month.

Mercury Aquarius → Pisces → Aries

This tiny planet is lost in the Sun's glare as it undergoes superior conjunction on 7 March. It then vaults into the western sky after sunset and is particularly well-placed for viewing for those in northern latitudes.

Venus Pisces

The evening star is best seen from the northern hemisphere but even here it is descending towards the western horizon. It is lost from sight by mid-month as seen from below the equator but is visible right through inferior conjunction for northern observers. In fact, for a few days right around conjunction on 25 March northern hemisphere observers may be able to see Venus both after sunset and before sunrise!

Mars Pisces → Aries

Mars continues to keep its distance from the Sun, setting mid-evening from northern latitudes and early evening when viewed from the southern hemisphere.

Jupiter Virgo

With opposition approaching next month, Jupiter is in the sky virtually all night, rising just after sunset.

Saturn Sagittarius

Still a morning sky object for northern hemisphere observers, the ringed planet now rises just before midnight for viewers in the south. At west quadrature on 17 March, the interplay of shadows — disc, rings, satellites — in the Saturnian system are at their most pronounced.

Uranus Pisces

This ice giant is getting increasingly difficult to see in the evening twilight as it approaches conjunction with the Sun next month. It sets at almost the exact same time as Jupiter rises.

Neptune Aquarius

A small telescope is necessary to view the most distant planet in the solar system but potential observers won't get much joy this month. Neptune is at solar conjunction on the second day and lost to view in the glare of the Sun.