What's in the March 2026 sky for astronomers and astrophotographers?

 

Date		Astronomy		Astrophotography
	🌕 Lunar Phases (real, confirmed GMT times) Phase Date Time (GMT) Last Quarter 3 March 2026 11:38 GMT New Moon 10 March 2026 09:01 GMT First Quarter 18 March 2026 05:03 GMT Full Moon 25 March 2026 06:00 GMT Last Quarter 30 March 2026 18:17 GMT		☀️ Seasonal Event March Equinox 20 March 2026 — 09:45 GMT Sun crosses the celestial equator heading north. Marks the start of northern‑hemisphere spring. Day and night lengths nearly equal.
	☿ Planetary Events (real, confirmed) Mercury — Greatest Eastern Elongation 24 March 2026 — 19:00 GMT (approx.) Mercury reaches 18.7° east of the Sun. Best evening apparition of early 2026 for northern observers. Visible low in the western sky after sunset. Jupiter High and bright in the evening sky throughout March. No major conjunctions this month, but excellent for imaging. Saturn Very low in the dawn sky; no major events. Mars Slowly brightening in the morning sky; no major March events. Venus Too close to the Sun for good visibility for most of March.
	☄️ Meteor Showers (real peaks) March is a quiet month for major showers, but two minor showers peak: γ‑Normids (Gamma Normids) Peak: 14–15 March 2026 ZHR: ~6 Radiant: RA ~16h 22m, Dec −50° Best for southern observers, but included for completeness. Virginids (complex) Weak, broad activity through March ZHR: 1–3 Radiant in Virgo (RA ~13h, Dec −4°) Not a strong imaging target but can add sporadic meteors to wide‑field shots.		🌙 Lunar–Planet Conjunctions (real, confirmed) (Times are approximate GMT moments of closest approach; visibility depends on your horizon.) Moon–Jupiter Conjunction 14 March 2026 — ~18:00 GMT Separation ~4° Visible in the evening sky. Moon–Mars Conjunction 28 March 2026 — ~04:00 GMT Separation ~3° Visible in the pre‑dawn sky. Moon–Saturn Conjunction 29 March 2026 — ~06:00 GMT Very low in dawn twilight.
			🌌 Deep‑Sky / Milky Way Notes (Northern Hemisphere) These are not “events” but real seasonal windows: Milky Way Core Visibility Begins returning to the SE pre‑dawn sky in March. Best window: 03:30–05:30 GMT late in the month. Galactic Center coordinates (fixed): RA 17h 45m Dec −29° Galaxy Season Begins Leo, Virgo, Coma Berenices rising earlier. Prime imaging window: midnight onward.
1st		Six-planet alignment (Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune). Ganymede disappears into Jupiter’s shadow at 1950 and reappears around 2310. Moon: Waning crescent, late‑night/dawn object, skies fairly dark in evening. Planets: Jupiter well placed in evening; Mars and Saturn low before dawn.		Astrophotography focus: Deep‑sky (Orion, Taurus, Auriga) in early evening; Jupiter imaging; late‑night galaxies in Leo.
2nd		Moon: Thin waning crescent, less interference at night. Planets: Jupiter evening; Mars/Saturn dawn.		Astrophotography focus: Wide‑field winter constellations; start testing galaxy‑season targets after midnight.
3rd		Total Lunar Eclipse (Full "Worm" Moon turns red). It will be visible in North America, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. The peak will be around 11:33 UTC. Last Quarter Moon (11:38) Planets: Jupiter evening; Mars/Saturn dawn.
4th		Moon: Waning crescent, rising later in night. Planets: Jupiter still strong in evening sky		Astrophotography focus: Deep‑sky imaging window improves after moonset; good night for galaxies and nebulae.
5th		Moon: Waning crescent, minimal impact on evening. Planets: Jupiter evening; Mars/Saturn low at dawn.		Astrophotography focus: Long‑exposure DSOs; test pre‑dawn Milky Way horizon glow.
6th		Moon: Very thin waning crescent. Planets: Jupiter evening; inner planets still close to Sun.
7th		Venus, Neptune and Saturn will be close together in the western evening sky – around 1835.		Astrophotography focus: Prime deep‑sky night; start planning Virgo/Coma galaxy fields.
8th		Ganymede enters occultation behind Jupiter at 1910 and re-emerges around 2225 before becoming eclipsed by Jupiter’s shadow at 2346 Moon: Near New; very dark skies.		Astrophotography focus: Long integrations on faint DSOs; pre‑dawn Milky Way low in SE.
9th		Callisto eclipsed by shadow of Jupiter around 2015 – 0030 Moon: Very thin waning/approaching New; essentially no interference.		Astrophotography focus: Deep‑sky marathon style night; wide‑field constellations plus galaxies.
10th		The Last Quarter Moon will be near Antares in early hours around 0430		Astrophotography focus: Best dark‑sky night of the month for DSOs, faint nebulae, and wide‑field Milky Way (pre‑dawn).
11th		Jupiter begins prograde motion. Moon: Very thin waxing crescent after sunset (low west).		Astrophotography focus: Earthshine crescent Moon near twilight; deep‑sky still excellent once Moon sets.
12th		Moon: Waxing crescent, still modest brightness.		Astrophotography focus: Crescent Moon compositions with foreground; DSOs still viable most of night.
13th				Astrophotography focus: Early‑evening Moon; late‑night galaxies and clusters after moonset.
14th		Moon–Jupiter conjunction (~18:00) Moon: Waxing crescent/approaching first quarter. γ‑Normids meteor shower near peak (14–15 March, ZHR ~6).		Astrophotography focus: Telephoto Moon–Jupiter pairing in evening; wide‑field meteor imaging (though shower is weak).
15th		Mars will be close to Mercury in Aquarius. γ‑Normids peak Moon: Waxing, approaching first quarter.		Astrophotography focus: Lunar detail along terminator; wide‑field meteor attempts if you’re already out.
16th		Moon: Waxing, nearing half phase. Planets: Jupiter evening; Mercury slowly improving toward elongation.		Astrophotography focus: Switch to clusters and brighter nebulae as moonlight increases.
17th		A thin crescent moon will join Mars and Mercury in the pre-dawn sky. Callisto transits Jupiter’s disc 1935 - 2330		Astrophotography focus: Lunar imaging; star clusters less affected by moonlight.
18th		Triple conjunction of Crescent Moon, Mars, and Mercury in the morning sky. First Quarter Moon (05:03)		The New Moon will be ideal for galaxy viewing. A triple pairing of the Moon, Mars, and Mercury can be seen low in the southeast before sunrise. Astrophotography focus: High‑contrast lunar terminator; planetary imaging; star clusters.
19th		A thin waxing crescent Moon will pair with bright Venus in the west after sunset. New moon occults at 0122 – good thin moon spotting opportunity after sunset as well Ganymede’s shadow in transit between 1752 and 2115		Astrophotography focus: Lunar and planetary work; moonlit landscapes; deep‑sky becomes challenging.
20th		Vernal Equinox (Spring begins in Northern Hemisphere) Equinox (09:45)
21st		Asteroid 20 Massalia reaches opposition shining at mag +9.0 near the Bowl of Virgo
22nd		The crescent Moon approaches Uranus and the Pleiades.
23rd		Moon: Nearly full.
24th		Mercury greatest elongation (~19:00) Planets: Mercury best in evening low west; Jupiter higher but setting later.		Astrophotography focus: Mercury–Sunset compositions with foreground; lunar imaging if desired.
25th		The First Quarter Moon will be near Jupiter, Castor, and Pollux in Gemini. Clair-obscur effects Lunar X occurs around 2050 when the two letters may be seen within the moon’s terminator region
26th		A waxing gibbous Moon passes near Jupiter. Callisto occulted by Jupiter at 0223		Astrophotography focus: Moonlit landscapes; some late‑night DSOs possible after Moon is lower.
27th		A waxing gibbous Moon passes close to Castor. Southern portion of low moon after 0230 will show Eyes of Clavius – formed when elevated rims of Clavius C and Clavius D are illuminated.
28th		Moon–Mars conjunction (~04:00) Part of Beehive Cluster M44 is occulted by waxing gibbous moon from around 0320
29th		A waxing gibbous Moon passes near Regulus and occults itr around 1812. Moon–Saturn conjunction (~06:00)
30th		Last Quarter Moon (18:17)		Astrophotography focus: Lunar terminator detail; after midnight, darker skies return for galaxies.
31st		Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) well located immediately to south of V shaped Hyades open cluster in Taurus		Astrophotography focus: Good late‑night deep‑sky window; pre‑dawn Milky Way core low in SE for wide‑field imaging.

What does 'progress' look like in your astrophotography post editing skills - 2?

 Blogger isn't always the most intuitive platform to navigate - but it is free and simple to use and manage. 

To help you find information quickly on this blog, you can

• use the search bar using key words e.g. Asiair mini
• use the blog menu list by date 
• use this page which will be regularly updated https://undersouthwestskies.blogspot.com/2025/12/want-to-find-something-quickly-on-my.html

Over the last three and a half years I have been on a slow 'post editing' learning journey which can be summarised thus: 

DEEPSKYSTACKER - AFFINITY PHOTO - SIRIL vs1.2.4 - SIRIL vs 1.4 

....and anyone who has regularly followed my posts since the start of this blog will know that I have been trying to map out progression ladders in skills, knowledge and understanding relating to

·       using astrophotography equipment,

·       acquiring high quality astrophotography data,

·       and in post-editing skills using a variety of free download astrophotography programs.

I have already done some ‘initial’ thinking about some of the above and you can read these posts here:

https://undersouthwestskies.blogspot.com/2026/02/what-does-progress-look-like-in-your.html 

https://undersouthwestskies.blogspot.com/2026/01/can-we-turn-our-astrophotography.html - progress ladders for capturing astrophotography data and using astrophotography equipment 

https://undersouthwestskies.blogspot.com/2026/01/discussion-is-astrophotography-hard.html 

I’m focusing on this work because I find such ‘progression ladders’ really useful in mapping out what progress I have made in astrophotography, and what further steps I can take to improve further. 

In today’s post I start to explore:

·       What might a structured four‑level progression ladder for learning post‑processing astrophotography skills, using SIRIL v1.4, look like?

The resources below are designed to guide ‘beginner’ and ‘advanced beginner’ astrophotographers through a structured progression of post‑processing skills using Siril v1.4, Siril scripts, Python automation, and enhancement tools such as the Integrated Cosmic Clarity Suite and the Veralux Suite.

I have based it on data captured with lenses such as the Samyang 135mm and/or small refractors like the Zenithstar 61II, both paired with either a DSLR or a dedicated astro‑camera, and using something like a skywatcher star tracker or a mount such as the EQM-35-PRO or equivalent. 

Before we dive into the levels, I think the photographs below exemplify my journey and where I am now on it. Details underneath each one. 

My first image of M45 taken in 2022 with my unmodded Canon 800D and Canon 70 - 200mm kit lens on a SWSA 2i. Stacked in Deepskystacker and edited in Affinity Photo

Later in early 2023 - same camera but this time a Samyang 135 mm F/2.8 lens with the same tracker. Again, using the same photo processing software - Deepskystacker and Affinity Photo

Jump to late 2024 - same equipment as above - but a better understanding of Deepskystacker and Affinity Photo 

Early 2025 and the image above and below neatly illustrate my see-saw progress in data acquisition and post editing processing. Same equipment, same editing software. The image above involved taking calibration frames. The one below - I forgot to do those. 

Now the image abnove and the two below - are new editing of that same data collected in early 2025. However this time I used SIRIL 1.4 to restack the original data and then used my latest SIRIL workflow which I shared in a previous post (Link to it at the top of this post) 

Qualitative differences are beginning to appear - better colour, less noise, improved definition and texture. 

So, with the above photos in mind, lets jump straight into the main subject material for this post: 

Progression Ladder Overview

I have gone for Four Levels of Mastery – briefly described in level descriptors

Beginner — Foundations & first stacks - We learn the basics of calibration, stacking, and simple enhancement. Most of our work uses automated Siril scripts and preset tools.

Intermediate — Controlled processing & selective enhancements - We begin to take manual control: manual stacking, gradient removal, star masks, and parameter tuning in Cosmic Clarity and Veralux.

Advanced — Custom pipelines & data‑driven processing - We build our own Siril scripts, integrate external tools, and use Python to automate parts of our workflow.

Expert — Full automation, multi‑night integration & HDR workflows - We create multi‑night automated pipelines, use advanced colour and PSF modelling, and produce reproducible, observatory‑grade workflows.

Each level proposed hopefully builds on the last, thus ensuring a smooth, confidence‑building journey from first stacks to fully automated pipelines.

Diagrammatically it looks like this: 

NOTES:

Learning NEVER progresses in a straight linear fashion. 

Thus, it is perfectly acceptable to find yourself getting to grips with different skills in different levels at the same time. It’s a guide, that’s all; not a rigid template. And, I think this is reflected in the photos I used at the top of this post - I drew from both level one and two to post edit the last three photos in the sequence. 

As astrophotography beginners - we are mainly interested in levels 1 and 2 for the moment, and this is what you will find below. 

I am only a modest beginner myself, so my interpretation of what levels three and four might look like, are based on very little understanding or experience of some of the knowledge and skills I have outlined in them.

Consequently, I will add levels three and four at a later date when I have mastered most of the level two intermediate stuff. To try and work out what level three and four would look like based on my existing knowledge – well it would be merely ‘guess work’ on my part – and ethically, for me, just won’t do!

When I eventually master level two intermediate stuff, I will come back and have a better stab at defining levels three and four.  On my current time/progress continuum, that could be towards the end of next year, 2027. 

So, with the above caveats in place, let’s jump in then and explore each of the first two proposed levels in a little more detail.

As you go, why not tick off the skills you have mastered so far on your personal learning journey and/or put them against my photographs above and see if you can work out which criteria I may have achieved during their editing. 

🌌 Progression Ladder for Astrophotography Post‑Editing

Using Siril v1.4, Siril Scripts, Python Automation, Cosmic Clarity Suite & Veralux Tools

 

1. Beginner — “Foundations & First Stacks”

Core Goal: Produce our first clean, calibrated image using mostly automated tools. Become comfortable with the Siril interface, file organisation, basic preprocessing, and simple scripts.

Knowledge

• Understand what calibration and light frames are and why they matter:
• Lights, Darks, Flats, Bias/offsets
• How they relate to DSLR vs astro‑cam workflows
• Basic understanding of:
• Linear and non-linear data
• Light pollution gradients
• Sensor noise
• Bayer patterns (for DSLR RAWs)
• File and folder management basics before entering SIRIL:
• FITS vs RAW
• Organising sessions by target/date
• Copying data from camera/stacking device
• Creating correct folder structures
• /lights/
• /darks/
• /flats/
• /bias/

Siril v1.4 Skills

A.     Siril Interface Basics

• Opening Siril
• Understanding the workspace
• Navigating tabs:
• Image Processing
• Tools
• Scripts
• Python Scripts
• Setting working directory
• Viewing images (zoom, stretch, histogram auto‑stretch)
• Run the One‑Shot Color Preprocessing Script (OSC_Preprocessing.ssf)
• Load and inspect individual subs using the Sequence tab

B.     Image Processing Tab — Beginner Tools

These are the simplest, safest tools for new users:

Image Processing Tab

• Histogram stretch - using the Asinh, Histogram and Curves Transformation tools; and also, the Generalised Hyperbolic Stretch Transformation

• Auto-stretch preview
• Basic cropping

• Background extraction OR Scripts – python scripts – processing – AutoBGE.py
• Colour calibration - basic - Photometric, SPCC, colour calibration

• Star detection preview

C.    Scripts Tab — Beginner Scripts

• OSC_Preprocessing.ssf
• OSC_Preprocessing_NoFlat.ssf
• OSC_Preprocessing_NoBias.ssf
• Mono_Preprocessing.ssf
• Mono_Preprocessing_NoFlat.ssf

These teach the user how Siril automates calibration, registration, and stacking.

 Python Scripts Tab — Beginner

• Running some basic pre‑installed Python scripts e.g. Cosmic Clarity Denoise and Sharpen …. And Veralux Nox, Hypermetric Stretch, Alchemy and Silentium
• Apply beginner‑friendly presets on the above without parameter tuning
• Understanding script output
• Viewing logs

A.     Saving & Exporting

• Saving FITS
• Exporting JPEG/PNG/TIFF
• Understanding linear vs non-linear data

Below is a practical, observable checklist.
If you can confidently tick 80–90% of a level, you’re ready to move up to the next level

 

Beginner → Intermediate Readiness Checklist

You’re ready to move up if you can:

• [ ] Capture and organise lights, darks, flats, and bias/offset frames
• [ ] Run Siril’s OSC preprocessing script without errors
• [ ] Understand linear vs non‑linear data
• [ ] Perform basic background extraction
• [ ] Apply photometric or auto colour calibration
• [ ] Stretch an image using histogram + Asinh tools
• [ ] Use Cosmic Clarity or Veralux presets without needing guidance
• [ ] Export a clean, basic final image (TIFF/PNG)

If most of these are solid, you’re ready for controlled manual processing.

The California Nebula (above) and Ghost of Cassiopeia (below) taken in 2025

2. Intermediate — “Controlled Processing & Selective Enhancements”

Core Goal: Move from automated scripts to controlled, intentional processing. Gain control over preprocessing, stacking, gradient removal, colour work, and basic noise reduction.

Knowledge

• Understand:
• Signal‑to‑noise ratio (SNR) and how stacking improves it
• Star colour vs nebula colour
• Gradient sources (LP, moonlight, optics)
• Learn the difference between:
• Linear vs non‑linear data
• Photometric vs manual colour calibration
• Star masks vs object masks

Siril v1.4 Skills

A.      Use manual preprocessing:

• Cosmetic correction
• Manual registration
• Manual stacking with rejection algorithms (Winsorized Sigma, Linear Fit Clipping)

A.      On Image Processing Tab, complete:

• Manual histogram manipulation
• Manual background extraction (multi-point)
• Gradient removal
• Photometric colour calibration
• Star colour calibration
• Green noise removal (SCNR‑style)
• Deconvolution (basic)
• Noise reduction (basic)
• Cosmetic correction
• Star mask creation
• Star removal using Starnet
• PSF tool (basic use)

A.      Scripts Tab — Intermediate Scripts - Cosmic Clarity Suite / Veralux Tools

Learn to adjust parameters rather than relying on presets

• Cosmic Clarity Basic Scripts
• CC_Preprocessing.ssf
• CC_GradientRemoval.ssf
• CC_ColourCalibration.ssf
• Veralux Basic Scripts
• Veralux_Preprocessing.ssf
• Veralux_Colour.ssf
• Veralux Chromatic Noise Suppression
• Veralux Star Tightening
• Veralux Revela
• Veralux Curves 

A.      Python Scripts Tab — Intermediate – begin using Siril’s scripting console

• Running community scripts
• Editing simple parameters
• Understanding script structure

A.      Obtaining Scripts

• Downloading scripts from:
• Siril website
• GitHub repositories
• Cosmic Clarity suite
• Veralux suite
• Installing scripts into:
• ~/.config/siril/scripts/
• Siril scripts folder (Windows/macOS/Linux)
• Verifying script installation
• Updating scripts

A.      Saving & Exporting

• Exporting 16‑bit TIFF for Photoshop/PixInsight
• Exporting stretched vs unstretched versions
• Saving project files

 Intermediate → Advanced Readiness Checklist

You’re ready to move up if you can:

• [ ] Perform manual calibration, registration, and stacking
• [ ] Choose appropriate rejection algorithms (e.g., Winsorized Sigma)
• [ ] Use advanced background extraction with multiple sample points
• [ ] Create and use star masks
• [ ] Perform star reduction and colour calibration intentionally
• [ ] Edit Siril scripts (e.g., change debayering, stacking parameters)
• [ ] Use Veralux and Cosmic Clarity tools with manual parameter tuning
• [ ] Run simple Python utilities (renaming, script generation, batch sorting)

If you’re comfortable building a repeatable workflow, you’re ready for custom pipelines.

If you are a beginner to astrophotography, I hope you can recognise yourself somewhere in these two levels; and more importantly, can find some ‘progress steps’ to work on.

As promised, towards the end of this year I will attempt to define the last two levels as well. 

I cannot guarantee in any way that I have got any of this right, so, as always, I welcome any constructive discussion, tips, advice, comments. Drop me a message in the comment box at the end of the post.

What do you think:

·       I’ve got right?

·       Got wrong?

·       Missed out?

·       Put in the wrong level?

·       Misinterpreted?

·       Been over or under ambitious on?