Venus returns to the western sky after sunset in the constellation Aquarius (the Water Bearer) passing into Pisces (the Fishes). Venus will be higher and brighter as the month continues. Venus is the “Evening Star” throughout the spring. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mercury can be seen the last week of March in the western sky after sunset. Mercury moves through the constellation Aquarius (the Water-Bearer) and into Pisces (the Fishes) where it can be seen. Mercury catches up to Venus as it moves into our view. Mercury looks like a small white star.

Mars can be seen high in the southeastern sky after sunset in the constellation Cancer (the Crab). Mars doesn’t move much against the background of stars in March. Mars is in retrograde, or westward motion until March 9th. Mars seems to stand still until March 11th, when it moves eastward as seen from Earth. Mars is getting dimmer as it moves farther away from Earth. Mars sets well before dawn in the west. Mars looks like a bright, ruddy-colored star.

Saturn can be seen rising in the eastern sky after sunset in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden). Saturn reaches opposition, or opposite the sun as seen from Earth, on March 21st. By the end of March, Saturn can be seen low in the eastern sky after sunset. Saturn is in the south sky at midnight and low in the west at dawn. Saturn looks like a bright, amber-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen reappearing (after passing behind the sun) in the eastern sky at the end of the month in the constellation Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). Jupiter can be seen for almost an hour before sunrise as it stays very close to the horizon. Jupiter will be higher in the predawn sky in April. Jupiter looks like a very bright, yellow-colored star.