Spring’s stirring in Southern Ontario, and the night sky is rolling out a 30-day planet parade that’s worth stepping outside for. From March 12 to April 10, 2025, the evening and early morning hours will serve up a shifting cast of cosmic characters—Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Saturn—each taking their turn in the spotlight. Whether you’re in the glow of Toronto or the quiet dark near Lake Huron, here’s your guide to what’s visible, when, and why it’s worth a look. No telescope required—just curiosity and a clear night.

The Evening Sky: Twilight to Midnight (March 12 – April 10)

Southern Ontario sits at 43-44°N, giving us a front-row seat as the planets shuffle through their spring lineup. Here’s how the evening evolves over the next 30 days:

• Venus: The Fading Star (March 12 – Mid-March)
  Kick off on March 12 with Venus blazing low in the west after sunset (~6:30 PM EDT), a dazzling magnitude -4.2. It’s a thin crescent now, setting by 8:00 PM, but it’s on its way out. By March 23, it hits inferior conjunction—sliding between Earth and the Sun—and vanishes from the evening sky. Catch it early in the month (7:00-8:00 PM) before it bows out. A clear western horizon—like Niagara Escarpment views—helps.
• Mercury: Blink and You’ll Miss It (March 12 – Late March)
  Mercury’s tagging along with Venus early on, a faint +0.7 dot about 5-6° south (left) of it on March 12. It’s tricky—binoculars cut through city lights—but it’s visible low in the west until around March 24, when it too dips into conjunction. Look west 7:00-8:00 PM through mid-March; after that, it’s a morning player.
• Jupiter: The Steady Giant (All Month)
  Jupiter’s your evening anchor, shining at -2.2 in Taurus near the Pleiades. On March 12, it’s high in the southwest post-sunset, setting after midnight (~1:00 AM EDT). As April nears, it drifts west, setting earlier (~11:00 PM EDT by April 10). No gear needed—it punches through light pollution from Oshawa to Owen Sound. Prime viewing: 8:00-11:00 PM all month.
• Mars: The Red Rise (All Month)
  Mars starts March 12 in Cancer at magnitude +0.5, rising in the southeast by 8:00 PM and sticking around past 3:00 AM. Over the 30 days, it brightens slightly (to ~+0.3 by April 10) and shifts into Leo, climbing higher earlier each night. By April, it’s up before 7:00 PM EDT. That rusty glow’s unmistakable—check it out 9:00 PM onward.
• Saturn: The Late Bloomer (Late March – April 10)
  Saturn’s shy at first—too close to the Sun on March 12 to show. But by late March, it creeps into the evening sky, low in the east after sunset (magnitude +0.9). By April 10, it’s up around 8:00 PM EDT, setting after midnight. It’s subtle—binoculars help—but it’s a slow-burn reward for patient gazers.

The Early Morning Sky: Pre-Dawn Wonders (March 12 – April 10)

If you’re up before the birds, the pre-dawn hours (4:00-6:00 AM EDT) flip the script. Here’s the 30-day rundown:

• Mars: The Night Owl’s Prize (All Month)
  Mars rules the early morning in March, lingering in the west on March 12 (sets ~3:30 AM EDT). By April 10, it’s higher and brighter, still up past 2:00 AM EDT in Leo. Catch it 4:00-5:00 AM fading into dawn—a reddish beacon for the bleary-eyed.
• Venus: The Morning Comeback (Late March – April 10)
  Post-conjunction on March 23, Venus flips to the morning sky. By late March, it’s a faint crescent low in the east before sunrise (5:00-6:00 AM EDT), growing brighter and higher daily. By April 10, it’s a stunning -4.0, up by 4:30 AM—a pre-dawn showstopper.
• Mercury: The Dawn Dodger (Late March – April 10)
  Mercury follows Venus, emerging post-conjunction (March 24) as a morning speck. By late March, it’s low in the east (magnitude +0.5), peaking around April 1-5 before fading. Spot it 5:00-6:00 AM with a steady hand and a clear horizon.
• Saturn: The Early Riser (Mid-March – April 10)
  Saturn starts sneaking up pre-dawn mid-month, visible by 6:00 AM EDT in the east on March 20. By April 10, it’s higher (up by 4:00 AM), a steady +0.9 glow. Pair it with Venus for a morning duo.
• Jupiter: Exit Stage West (Early March Only)
  Jupiter’s an evening king, but it’s gone by 1:00 AM EDT on March 12. By April, it’s setting too early (11:00 PM) to catch pre-dawn—sorry, early risers.

Why This Month Rocks

March to April 2025 is a sky in transition. Venus and Mercury swap evening for morning, Saturn wakes up, and Mars and Jupiter hold steady—bridging night’s halves. Southern Ontario’s spring thaw and longer nights make it prime time to look up, whether you’re dodging city lights or soaking in rural dark. Weather’s a wild card—March clouds can crash the party—so seize clear nights.

Your 30-Day Plan

• Early March (12-20): Evening—Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars. Morning—Mars solo.
• Late March (21-31): Evening—Jupiter, Mars, Saturn emerging. Morning—Venus and Mercury join Mars, Saturn rises earlier.
• Early April (1-10): Evening—Jupiter, Mars, Saturn. Morning—Venus, Mercury (fading), Saturn, Mars.
• Hot Tips: West for evening twilight, east for dawn. Binoculars boost Mercury and Saturn. Rural spots (e.g., Bruce Peninsula) beat city glare.

So, mark your calendar, grab a blanket, and let the sky tell its story. Here’s to 30 nights of wonder.