In this guide we'll reveal which planets will be visible in the sky in March, and which will not be visible at all.
Mars is the planet to keep an eye out for in March 2025, although Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are still good at the beginning of the month.
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How to see the planets in March 2025
Mercury
- Best time to see: 8 March, from 30 minutes after sunset
- Altitude: 11°
- Location: Pisces
- Direction: West
Mercury is an evening planet at the start of March, setting 1.5 hours after the Sun on 1 March when it shines at mag. –0.9. A 3%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 7.3° to the east-northeast of Mercury on this date, both objects visible in the darkening evening twilight sky after sunset. On 2 March, Mercury sits just 1.9° from mag. +7.9 Neptune, with twilight causing major problems with the visibility of this distant ice giant.
Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation on 8 March when it appears separated from the Sun by 18.2°. On 12 March, now shining at mag. +0.7, Mercury sits 5.6° from mag. –4.2 Venus. From the middle of the month, Mercury’s visibility becomes poor as it approaches inferior conjunction on 24 March. It’s not visible as it re-emerges into the morning sky at the end of the month.
Venus
- Best time to see: 1 March, 1 hour after sunset
- Altitude: 19°
- Location: Pisces
- Direction: West
Evening planet Venus makes a rapid dash towards the Sun this month, to reach inferior conjunction on 23 March. On 1 March, shining at mag. –4.2, Venus sets a little over 3 hours after the Sun. On 2 March, a 10%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 10.2° to the east of the planet.
Venus and Mercury are in conjunction on 12 March, with Venus lost from naked-eye visibility soon after this. During inferior conjunction, those familiar with safe viewing close to the Sun may catch a glimpse of the planet. At the end of March, Venus rises an hour before the Sun.
Mars
- Best time to see: 1 March, 20:50 UT
- Altitude: 63°
- Location: Gemini
- Direction: South
- Features: Polar caps, surface markings, weather
- Recommended equipment: 75mm scope or larger
Jupiter
- Best time to see: 1 March, 19:00 UT
- Altitude: 58°
- Location: Taurus
- Direction: West of south
Jupiter’s observing window begins to close this month, the planet visible at a peak altitude of 58° under deep twilight when it’s just to the west of south on 1 March.
Jupiter is visited by a 41%-lit waxing crescent Moon on 5 March, the Moon 8.4° northwest of the planet at 23:30 UT. By the end of March, Jupiter is at 40° altitude at 20:00 UT under dark twilight conditions.
Saturn
Not visible this month. Solar conjunction on 12 March. Ring plane crossing on 23 March.
Uranus
- Best time to see: 1 March, 19:00 UT
- Altitude: 58°
- Location: Taurus
- Direction: West of south
Located 19° west of Jupiter, Uranus’s observing window closes a little earlier than the gas giant. At mag. +5.8 you’ll need dark conditions to see Uranus, achieved on 1 March at 19:40 UT when the planet is 44° up. By 31 March, Uranus is just 18° up at 20:45 UT under similar conditions.
Neptune
Not visible this month.
Share your planet images and observations with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
