Limerick Astronomy Club: Month of March set to be filled with cosmic wonders

MARCH is shaping up to be a spectacular month for stargazers in Ireland, with planetary alignments, a total lunar eclipse, and the arrival of the spring equinox.
On March 8-9, Mercury and Venus will make a close approach in the evening sky, a stunning sight just after sunset.
Mars and Jupiter will also be prominent, making for excellent viewing opportunities throughout the month.
The highlight for Irish observers will be the total lunar eclipse on the morning of March 14.
While the full eclipse won’t be entirely visible from Ireland, we will see a dramatic partial eclipse before dawn.
As the Moon dips into Earth's shadow, it will take on a deep reddish hue, a phenomenon caused by sunlight refracting through Earth's atmosphere - often called a Blood Moon.
The maximum eclipse occurs at 06:59 UT, just before moonset, so early risers should look westward for the best view.
March 20 marks the vernal equinox, the moment when day and night are nearly equal, signalling the official start of spring.
It’s a reminder of Earth’s steady journey around the Sun and the changing of the seasons.

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This month also gives us a chance to remember a remarkable scientist, Carolyn Porco, born on March 6, 1953.
A key figure in planetary science, she led imaging efforts for NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn. In 2013, her team captured the famous image
The Day the Earth Smiled, showing Earth as a tiny blue dot beyond Saturn’s rings - an awe-inspiring reminder of our place in the cosmos.
With so many celestial events on offer, there’s never been a better time to look up and marvel at the universe.
The Limerick Astronomy Club meets monthly on the first Thursday of every month, in Mary Immaculate College, Room 202 at 8pm.
We'd love to welcome you and embark on this cosmic journey together.
Reach out to us at limerickastronomyclub@gmail.com for more info.