March 2025 Sky Watch
Maunakea Astronomy News
A Cosmic Bullseye: Nine-Ring Galaxy Discovered
Astronomers using the W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have identified an extraordinary galactic event. The massive galaxy LEDA 1313424, nicknamed the “Bullseye,” has been found to contain nine concentric, star-filled rings—more than any other known galaxy. This rare structure was created when a blue dwarf galaxy traveled through the Bullseye’s core about 50 million years ago, triggering ripple-like rings similar to those formed when a stone is dropped into water. Previous observations of other galaxies have only detected up to three rings, making this discovery unprecedented.
Hubble confirmed eight rings, while the Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) at Keck Observatory verified a ninth. The study, led by Yale University, has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
For more information, visit: keckobservatory.org
Special Events
Total Lunar Eclipse
On the night of March 13, skywatchers in Hawaiʻi will have the opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse—a stunning event where the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow, taking on a reddish hue often called a “Blood Moon.”=The eclipse will begin shortly after sunset with the partial eclipse starting at 7:09 p.m., and eclipse totality at 8:58 p.m. During this time, the Moon will be fully immersed in Earth’s shadow, glowing with a coppery-red light due to sunlight refracting through our planet’s atmosphere. Starting around 9:30 p.m. the moon will start exiting the Earth’s shadow and will lose the coppery color, the partial eclipse will end by 10:47 p.m. For the best viewing experience, find a location with minimal city lights and an unobstructed view of the eastern and southeastern sky.
The Vernal Equinox
The Vernal Equinox will be marked on Wednesday March 19th, on this day the Sun will rise exactly in the East and will Set exactly in the west. While the term Equinox implies equal amounts of day and night there will be approximately about 6 more minutes of daylight on March 19th; the date with almost perfectly equal time day and night will be Friday March 14th, Pi day and the date of the lunar eclipse.
Evening Observing
The Kekāomakaliʻi star family is visible high in the evening sky, including Nānāmua (Castor), Nānāhope (Pollux), ʻAʻā (Sirius)-- the brightest star in the night sky. Kekāomakaliʻi is a constellation of a celestial bailer scooping the stars across the sky. Within the bowl of the bailer is the famous constellation of Kaheheionākeiki and the star cluster of Makaliʻi. These shapes will be near the center of the sky during the early evening and setting in the western horizon around midnight. As the Star cluster of Makaliʻi begins the season of Makahiki in November as it rises at the same time the Sun sets, the cluster is also used to mark when Makahiki is coming to an end; when Makaliʻi is observed zenith (the central point of the sky) at sunset the Makahiki season comes to a close.
While the notable march of the 7 planets have since ended, observers will still be able to witness many of our solar system neighbors in the early evening sky. Just after sunset Venus and Mercury will be visible in the western sky. Venus will stand out as it is the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon. The fourth brightest object in the sky, Jupiter will share the sky with Makaliʻi and the rusty red planet Mars will not be far off. Mars stands out in the sky due to its red color and it will create a triangle of red objects with the red giant stars Kapuahi (Aldebaraan) and Kauluaʻkoko (Betelguese in Orion). Observers utilizing a telescope or binoculars will also be able to see Uranus in the sky near Makaliʻi, unfortunately Uranus is not visible to the naked eye.
Morning Observing
For early risers, Hānaiakamalama (Southern Cross) begins to climb higher in the southeastern sky, signaling the approach of navigational stars that guided long-distance voyaging across the Pacific. Kaiwikuamoʻo (the Backbone), which runs from Hōkūpaʻa (Polaris) to Newe (Achernar), stretches overhead, reinforcing its role in wayfinding traditions. The best time to see Hānaiakamalama standing up straight will be around 1:30 am. Meanwhile, the Milky Way arcs across the sky, creating a breathtaking scene best viewed in the early morning hours before sunrise.
This month carries deep significance for the voyaging community as we celebrate two major milestones in the resurgence of Hawaiian wayfinding. Hōkūleʻa, the iconic voyaging canoe that sparked a cultural renaissance, turns 50 years old. Since its first voyage in 1975, Hōkūleʻa has sailed across the Pacific and beyond, proving that traditional Polynesian navigation—guided by the stars, winds, and ocean swells—is as powerful today as it was centuries ago. Its journeys have not only reaffirmed ancestral knowledge but have also inspired a global movement of indigenous pride and environmental stewardship.
Alongside this, we also mark 30 years of Makaliʻi, a canoe that continues to strengthen the next generation of navigators. Since its launch in 1995, Makaliʻi has served as a floating classroom, training crew members in the art and discipline of wayfinding while deepening connections between land, sea, and community.
These anniversaries remind us that the knowledge carried in the night sky is scientific, cultural, ancestral, and living in the journeys of those who continue to sail.
