March astronomy outlook

A fresh month is upon us, meaning a new schedule for the nation’s stargazers to look forward to.

Beginning with a New Moon on March 2, while a regular occurrence the arrival of a New Moon is always a highlight for the dark nights that they produce.

The Full Worm Moon follows on March 18. Like all full moons the name comes from Native American tribes and is believed to mark the emergence of earthworms from the ground as temperatures warmed.

Two days later comes the vernal equinox on March 20. Also called the northward equinox, on this day the sun is shining directly on the equator offering an equal day and night.

It also marks the start of the astronomical spring, despite meteorological spring beginning tomorrow.

This ends a quiet month, but April brings the Lyrids Meteor Shower to our skies.