Thanks to a spectacular “planet parade” and Venus, in particular, shining so brightly after sunset, it’s been a great start to 2025 for sky-watchers. However, as spring arrives in the Northern Hemisphere so do some landmark sky events — including a rare “blood moon” total lunar eclipse and a stunning partial solar eclipse in March.
Here are five key sky events to watch from March to December 2025, in chronological order.
1. ‘Blood Moon’ Total Lunar Eclipse
When: Thursday-Friday, March 13-14, 2025
Where: southern sky
The first total lunar eclipse since 2022 will occur overnight on March 13-14. During the event, the full Worm Moon will drift into Earth’s shadow, turning a deep orange-red color for 65 minutes — the “blood moon.” Best viewed from North and South America, parts of Europe will catch a glimpse during moonset.
2. Partial Solar Eclipse
When: sunrise on Saturday, March 29, 2025
Where: rising in the east
Just two weeks after the total lunar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse will grace the skies — but it won’t be as easy to see. Visible at sunrise from parts of the northeastern U.S., eastern Canada and western Europe (in the latter it will be visible mid-morning high in the sky), at some locations — notably coastal areas — the rising sun will appear as “devil’s horns” peeking over the horizon.
3. Lyrid Meteor Shower And Venus At Its Brightest
When: Monday-Tuesday, April 21-22, 2025
Where: all-sky
Spring means “shooting stars.” With the moon setting early in the evening, conditions will be ideal for the Lyrid meteor shower, which tends to deliver around 10-20 shooting stars per hour at its peak around midnight. Some Lyrids leave long, glowing trails, making this one of the more photogenic showers of the year. Stay up all night and you’ll see a brilliantly bright Venus rising in the east close to a crescent moon just before sunrise.
4. Mars And The Beehive Cluster
When: after dark on Monday, May 5, 2025
Where: southwest
One of the nearest open clusters to Earth, the Beehive Cluster is an open cluster of stars about 580 light-years from the solar system. They can be glimpsed with the naked eye (albeit only in a very dark sky) and are easily seen in binoculars. Mars will appear plumb against its sparkling stars tonight — though the couple of nights either side will also give a great binocular view.
5. Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower
When: Monday-Tuesday, May 4-5, 2025
Where: all-sky
This meteor shower, caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, will peak on the nights of May 4-5. The Southern Hemisphere will have the best views, with up to 60 meteors per hour streaking across the sky, while the Northern Hemisphere will see about half as many. The event will peak about midnight.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.