Northern Australia will see a partial solar eclipse, there is the slight hint of a lunar eclipse, Jupiter is the jewel of the planets, and Mars is in the grip of the scorpion this March.

Partial solar eclipse - March 9

People living in northern Australia - basically anyone north of a line drawn between Perth and Rockhampton - will see a partial solar eclipse as the moon covers a fraction of the Sun's disk on March 9.



The eclipse starts well after sunrise, with the Sun a decent height above the horizon.

If you're lucky enough to be in Indonesia and the Pacific region you'll be able to experience a total eclipse of the Sun as the moon passes between the Earth and Sun.

Don't forget - it's not safe to look at the sun. You will need to use special solar glasses or safe solar projection techniques to watch the eclipse.



Where and when to see the partial solar eclipse:

Place Eclipse starts Mid eclipse (maximum covered) End eclipse Alice Springs (ACST) 9.29am 10.16am (11%) 11.06am Broome (AWST) 7.32am 8.32am (37%) 9.37am Cairns (AEST) 10.12am 11.12am (18%) 12.15am Darwin (ACST) 9.07am 10.17am (50%) 11.34am Rockhampton (AEST) 10.55am 11.17am (0.6%) 11.38am Perth (AWST) 8.06am 8.26am (1%) 8.47am

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Penumbral lunar eclipse - March 23

On March 23 you can also see a penumbral eclipse of the moon where the moon glides through the outer segment of the shadow cast by Earth.

In contrast to a total or partial lunar eclipse, where the Moon is either fully or partially immersed in Earth's shadow, you will only see a subtle darkening of the southern part of the moon's disk.

Eastern and central states get to see the whole event, for Western Australia the Moon rises with the eclipse well under way.

No special equipment is needed, just watch the moon and you may see its southern pole get a bit fainter.



When to see the penumbral lunar eclipse:



Date Time zone Eclipse starts Mid eclipse Eclipse finishes March 23 AEST

ACST

AWST 7:37pm

7:07pm

5:37pm 9:47pm

9:17pm

7:47pm 11:57pm

11:27pm

9:57pm

Jupiter the jewel of planets - brightest on March 8

Undoubtedly the jewel of planets this month is Jupiter - readily visible as the brightest object above the north-eastern sky.

Yellow-hued Jupiter is closest to Earth and at its brightest on March 8.

At this time, Jupiter is rising as the Sun sets. However, Jupiter will be an excellent sight in small or large telescopes for many weeks before and after this.

Jupiter's bands are easily visible even in small telescopes, and the dance of its attendant moon is a delight even in binoculars.

On March 4 and March 11 there is a double transit of the moons Io and Europa, with their shadows visible on Jupiter as well, although you will need a decent telescope to follow this though.

Mars and the scorpion

In the first half of March, Mars will be in the claws of Scorpius the scorpion, which will be rising in the east just as the constellations of Orion the hunter and Canis major (Orion's hunting dog) head towards the western horizon.

March sky looking east at midnight on the 16th showing the Scorpion, with Mars very close to the double star Graffias. ( Ian Musgrave/Stellarium )

If you face east around midnight, the distinctive curled shape of Scorpius lies above the horizon.

The body of the scorpion contains the bright star Antares the "rival of Mars".

The head or claws of the scorpion are made up of three stars (Graffias, Dschubba and pi Scorpii).

On March 16, Mars will be less than half a finger-width from Graffias, which is a double star. In a small telescope the bright pair and Mars, showing a visible disk, will be quite lovely.

Indigenous Australians interpreted Scorpius in a variety of ways. The sting - the curled "hook" - is variously the head of Ingalpir, the crocodile, Karick Karick a pair of hawks or a fringe of feathers around the wings of dark constellation the Emu.

Moon and planets

The moon visits all five planets over the month and its position can help you identify the planets.