Skyview’s Guide to the Sky: March Edition
A MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING ABOVE THE CENTRAL COAST
One of the quiet luxuries of staying at Skyview Los Alamos is the night sky. Step outside after dinner, wander past the pool, and you’ll find a sky that feels wide, dark, and alive with stars.
Each month in Skyview’s Guide to the Sky, we’ll highlight what’s happening overhead—from meteor flickers to rocket launches—so you know exactly what to look for when you step outside tonight.
Here’s what March has in store above the Central Coast.
🌕 March 3: The Full Moon & a Total Lunar Eclipse
The month began with one of the most dramatic sky events of the year: a total lunar eclipse on March 3. During the eclipse, Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that turns the moon a deep copper or crimson color— called a “Blood Moon.”
Moments like this are exactly why we love hosting Moonrise Swims at Skyview. Watching the moon climb over the hills while soaking in the heated pool is one of those simple Central Coast pleasures that’s hard to beat.
☄️ A Few Quiet Meteor Showers
March is a relatively calm month for meteors, but patient stargazers may still catch a few fleeting streaks.
Several smaller showers peak this month, including the Xi Herculids (March 12) and the Eta Virginids (March 18). These aren’t major meteor storms—expect only a few meteors per hour—but they’re best seen under dark skies like those surrounding Los Alamos.
The best strategy?
Grab a blanket, let your eyes adjust for about 20 minutes, and simply look up.
🪐 Planet Watching: A Mini Planet Parade
Early March offers a chance to spot multiple planets at once just after sunset. Look low on the western horizon for Mercury, Venus, and Saturn, while Jupiter shines brighter and higher in the southeastern sky.
Even better? Guests staying at Skyview can upgrade their stargazing experience with our Unistellar telescope enhancement, which reveals galaxies, nebulae, and distant star clusters with surprising clarity.
It’s like switching the night sky from standard definition to ultra-high resolution.
🚀 Rockets Over the Pacific
Living on the Central Coast comes with an unexpected bonus: rocket launches.
Just up the coast at Vandenberg Space Force Base, companies like SpaceX regularly launch rockets carrying satellites into orbit. Several missions are scheduled throughout March, including multiple Falcon 9 Starlink launches.
On clear evenings, you might see the rocket’s glowing trail arcing across the sky shortly after liftoff—a surreal sight that feels equal parts science fiction and Central Coast reality.
Tip: launches shortly after sunset can create especially dramatic “space jellyfish” effects as the rocket plume catches the last light of the sun.
🌑 Best Stargazing Nights
If you’re hoping for the darkest skies of the month, mark your calendar for March 19, when the New Moon arrives and the sky goes fully dark.
This is the ideal time to spot faint galaxies, distant star clusters, and the early return of the Milky Way core later in the night.
🌕 March 31: Moonrise Swim at Skyview
On the evening of March 31, a glowing Pink Moon will rise over the hills just after sunset, appearing full as it makes its ascent ahead of its official peak just after midnight on April 1. Named for the early spring wildflowers that bloom this time of year, the Pink Moon symbolizes renewal, creativity, and new beginnings.
To celebrate, we’ve launched Moonrise Swims — a monthly full-moon series on the pool deck featuring live DJ sets presented by Traffic Records. On March 31, DJ Jason Perez sets the soundtrack as guests float, dance, and take in the moonrise.
Event details:
March 31 | Pool Deck at Skyview
$25 entry | Complimentary for hotel guests & Nomada members
21+ only | Weather permitting
Tarot readings, cocktail specials, and bites from Norman available for purchase
Slip into the heated pool and watch the moon rise — one of the most magical ways to experience the Central Coast night sky