What to observe in the sky in March 2026 with a smart telescope.
24 Feb. 2026
March 2026 astronomical calendar
It is recommended to observe nebulae and galaxies when the Moon is not visible. Its brightness diminishes the darkness of the sky and reduces the quality of observations of faint and diffuse objects.
Refer to the following calendar for the best days this month.
- We’re entering the heart of galaxy season in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Orion season is coming to an end, make the most of these last nights to observe its spectacular nebulae.
- March 2 – Total lunar eclipse - Learn More (Full Moon)
- March 11 – Last Quarter Moon
- March 14-22 – Best time for the Messier Marathon
- March 19 – New Moon
- March 20 – March Equinox (day and night are equal in length worldwide)
- March 25 – First Quarter Moon
Celestial Scene of the Month
Northern sky
The Leo triplet
The Leo Triplet is one of the most rewarding targets of galaxy season: three very different galaxies captured in a single frame. M65, M66, and NGC 3628 share the same region of sky, about 35 million light-years away.
They fit comfortably within a 1° field of view, meaning you don’t even need mosaic mode to frame all three at once. Yet, by using the mosaic mode you'll be able to also frame NGC 3593, a small lenticular galaxy.
- M65 – a slim, slightly tilted spiral with a bright central core
- M66 – rounder and brighter, with a visibly disturbed disk
- NGC 3628 (the Hamburger Galaxy) – a long edge-on galaxy marked by a prominent dark dust lane
These galaxies are gravitationally interacting, slowly tugging on one another over millions of years.
You’ll clearly detect them after about 30 minutes of observation, but galaxies truly benefit from longer integration. Aim for at least one hour for a solid result—and several hours if you want to reveal finer details and significantly reduce noise for high-quality astrophotography.
Southern sky
The Carina Nebula region
The Carina Nebula is arguably the only nebula that can rival, and even surpass, M42, the Great Orion Nebula, as a true showpiece of the sky.
It is one of the brightest nebulae visible and spans roughly twice the angular size of M42, meaning Mosaic mode is required to appreciate its full extent.
At its heart lies Eta Carinae, one of the most luminous and unstable stars in our galaxy. In the 19th century, it underwent a massive outburst, and its powerful stellar winds and radiation continue to shape the vast central cavity of the nebula. Nearby, the Keyhole Nebula appears as a compact dark structure silhouetted against the brightest emission regions.
Unlike Orion, which feels like a single luminous bowl, Carina resembles a complex system of overlapping bubbles. It has been sculpted by generations of massive stars. Each one has carved cavities, exploded as a supernova, or shed enormous amounts of material, creating a chaotic tapestry of bubbles, shock fronts, and glowing gas. The region is also rich in young star clusters, which are both the products of this environment and the forces continuing to shape it.
By extending your mosaic field of view, you can also capture the Gabriela Mistral Nebula within the same frame, a compact emission nebula with sharply defined edges and a carved appearance. In this wider view, it shares the scene with NGC 3293, a bright and beautiful open cluster.
"Plan my Night" of the month
Suggested observation program you can automate with "Plan My Night."
Give each object as much observation time as you can to get the best results.
Northern sky
Do not use the dual band filter for this plan.
Southern sky
Do not use the Dual band filter since it is a mix of various nebula type.
Around the full moon
During the few nights surrounding the full moon, it's best to focus on star clusters, which are less affected by the Moon’s light pollution.
Northern sky
M37, Salt and Pepper cluster
An open cluster featuring a faint emission nebula embedded within it. Revealing the nebulosity requires dark skies, a dual-band filter, and long integration time.
Constellation : Auriga
Southern sky
M67, The King Cobra / Golden Eye Cluster
Open clusters. Mag. 6, angular size: 30'
Constellation: Cancer
Challenging Target of the Month
Northern sky
SH2-284, the Portal Nebula
Constellation: Monoceros
In the constellation Monoceros, most observers naturally turn first to the Rosette Nebula, and then perhaps to the Christmas Tree Cluster region.
Yet this constellation also hosts another generously sized, and overlooked, emission nebula: Sh2-284.
It doesn’t rival the Rosette in impact, as its surface brightness is significantly lower. At first glance, it can seem underwhelming. But with extended integration time, its circular structure and subtle internal details gradually emerge, revealing an angular diameter comparable to that of the Rosette Nebula.
A dual-band filter is recommended to enhance contrast and help bring out this faint emission nebula, which is far less contrasted than the Rosette.
This target is not included in the curated catalog, so you’ll need to create a manual target using the following coordinates:
RA: 6h 45m
Dec: 0° 13′
Southern sky
Barnard 228, the Dark Wolf nebula
Constellation: Lupus
The constellation Lupus isn’t especially famous, as it lacks a single iconic showpiece object. Yet, positioned close to the plane of the Milky Way, it offers a beautifully rich starfield backdrop.
At just 500 light-years away, Lupus hosts one of the nearest star-forming regions: the Lupus Molecular Cloud, a vast complex of dark, dusty clouds spread across a large area of sky. Among its most notable features is the dark nebula Barnard 228.
Dark nebulae are best observed against dense starfields, where their silhouettes stand out more clearly. However, revealing their subtle structure still requires long integration time.
This target is not included in the curated catalog, so you’ll need to create a manual target using the following coordinates:
RA: 15h 45m
Dec: −34° 10′
Magnitude and angular size reminder
