Each Friday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the weekend (which also applies to northern hemisphere mid-northern latitudes).Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
The Night Sky This Week: March 21-23, 2025
Spring started yesterday, with the vernal equinox bringing equal nights of light and dark to everywhere on our planet.
However, sky-watchers already know that spring is here, with late-March seeing the stars of spring appear, bringing new shapes and constellation — and possibly an exploding star. It’s also wise to look out for the Northern Lights, which tend to strengthen around the equinoxes.
Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing this weekend:
These are the constellations that can be seen in spring. They include the Great Spring Triangle. The ... More design features a forest and a telescope.getty
Friday, March 21: Find The ‘Great Spring Triangle’
Here’s celestial proof that spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. Face northeast and you’ll see the Big Dipper with its handle facing down towards the horizon. Follow that handle in an arc and you’ll come to Arcturus low in the eastern night sky — a red giant star about 37 light years distant and the fourth-brightest in the night sky. Now take a spike to the southeast and you’ll see Spica just above the horizon. Spica is 261 light years distant. Now find Denebola in the springtime constellation Leo to make the shape of a equalateral triangle — the “Great Spring Triangle.”
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Saturday, March 22: Last Quarter Moon
The moon reaches its last quarter phase tonight, shining half-lit in the constellation Sagittarius. More importantly for stargazers, the last quarter has the moon rising at midnight. That clears the way for about 10 completely moonless evening night skies ideal for finding constellations
How To Find Corona Borealis.Jamie Carter/Stellarium
Sunday, March 23: Look For Corona Borealis
If there’s one thing to find this weekend, it’s Corona Borealis, the “Northern Crown.” This curl of seven stars between the constellations Boötes and Hercules could be about to host an eighth bright stars — but just for a few days. If astronomers are correct, a dim binary star called T Corona Borealis (or T CrB and he “Blaze Star” for short) may go nova and explode on March 27, becoming 1,000 times brighter. Here’s how to find it in the east about three hours after sunset.
Look to the high northwestern night sky and find the familiar Bid Dipper asterism.
Follow the curve of the Bid Dipper’s handle to bright star Arcturus, the only bright star in that region (“arc to Arcturus” is a famous star-hop).
Now look for bright star Vega rising in the east, lower in the sky than Arcturus.
About halfway between Arcturus and Vega is Corona Borealis.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums likeStellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.