March 1, 2026: Venus shines as the Evening Star in March 2026. See when it sets, its conjunction with Hamal, and the crescent moon pairing on March 20.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:27 a.m. CST; Sunset, 5:40 p.m. CST. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Venus as an Evening Star
Venus Evening Star
Venus shines as the Evening Star until autumn 2026. During March, the planet appears higher in the western sky, gaining about one minute of setting time compared to sunset each evening. By month’s end, Venus sets 103 minutes after sunset. On the 26th, it sets after twilight ends, and this continues through July 23. Venus steps eastward in front of Pisces, Cetus, and Aries, passing the Ram’s brightest star, Hamal, in a wide conjunction on the 29th.
Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms
Look for the crescent moon near Venus on the 20th. The 5% illuminated lunar crescent is nearly 10° to the Evening Star’s upper right. The crescent is tipped nearly horizontally, with the lunar night gently lit above the thin arc, a view known as the “Old Moon in the New Moon’s arms.”
Venus – The Setting Chart
The accompanying chart shows when Venus and other bodies remain visible after sunset during 2026. Drawn from data from the U.S. Naval Observatory for Chicago, Illinois, it displays the setting time intervals for the moon (circles), planets, and bright stars near the ecliptic. The calculation is the difference between each body’s setting time and sunset. The three phases of twilight are indicated. Venus’ conjunctions are marked with white boxes, greatest elongations with yellow triangles, and greatest brightness with a yellow diamond. Notable groupings of the moon with stars and planets are indicated. The Venus curve arcs across the chart, showing its changing setting time intervals. Mercury’s three evening elongations are included, indicating its approximate setting time compared to Venus. Jupiter’s and Saturn’s rising time intervals compared to sunset are included as well. When they rise at sunset, they are at opposition.
Bookmark this page and return for photos and links to related articles. A semi-technical article is linked above with charts and notes describing what to see.
Look for Venus in the western sky after sunset until autumn.
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