Stargazing in the Great Nafud: March Astronomical Calendar Announced for Saudi Arabia’s Premier Dark Sky Site

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority has unveiled the astronomical calendar for March 2026, featuring nine celestial events that can be observed at the Great Nafud Desert's Dark Sky Park, a location accredited by DarkSky International.

 The site, covering 13,416 square kilometers, offers an environment considered among the least affected by light pollution in the Kingdom, making it ideal for astronomical observation.

 According to the authority, the first astronomical event of March was the moon’s conjunction with the star Regulus on March 2, followed by the full moon on March 3, when the moon appeared fully illuminated in a scene considered one of the most visually striking astronomical events.

 On March 6, the moon will be in conjunction with the star Spica, and the last quarter moon will occur on March 11, while the new moon phase will take place on March 19.

 The authority also indicated that March 20 will witness the moon’s conjunction with the planet Venus, coinciding with the Spring Equinox, the astronomical event during which the Sun crosses the celestial equator, bringing nearly equal lengths of day and night across the globe.

 Additionally, the moon will align with the Pleiades star cluster on March 23, while the first quarter moon will occur on March 25. The month will conclude with the moon’s conjunction with the planet Jupiter on March 26.