Mars can be seen high in the western sky after sunset in the constellation Taurus (the Bull). Mars passes over the v-shaped face of Taurus, north of the bright star Aldebaran (the Eye of the Bull), and into the tips of the Bull’s horns. Mars is brighter than Aldebaran but appears to be the same brightness by the end of March. Mars looks like a golden orange-colored star.

Saturn can be seen high in the southeastern sky at sunset in the constellation Cancer (the Crab), located just west of the Beehive Cluster. Saturn appears very bright this month and is in a good position to view the rings. Saturn passes high through the sky and sets in the west before dawn. Saturn looks like a very bright amber-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen rising in the southeastern sky before midnight in the constellation Libra (the Scales). Jupiter rises around 11:00 p.m. in the beginning of March and by 9:00 p.m. by the end of the month. Jupiter begins retrograde motion, moving westward among the background of stars. Jupiter passes through the southern sky and can be seen in the southwestern sky at dawn. Jupiter looks like a yellow-colored star.

Venus can be seen before dawn shining brightly as the “Morning Star” in the eastern sky passing through the constellation Capricornus (the SeaGoat). Venus reaches its highest point in the eastern sky (greatest western elongation) on March 25th, when it will also reach dichotomy (half-lit face). Venus will return to the western sky after sunset by summer. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mercury cannot be seen as it passes between the sun and Earth (inferior conjunction) on March 12th. Late in the month it reappears in the eastern predawn sky in the constellation Pisces (the Fishes). Mercury looks like a small white star.