Astronomy enthusiasts will be delighted this March as they witness the full moon turning red during a total lunar eclipse. The Worm Moon, this month’s full moon, is set to enter Earth’s shadow on the night of March 13 or early on March 14, varying by time zone, as confirmed by NASA. This celestial event will be visible from the Western Hemisphere. For those interested in specific moonrise times, The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides details for various ZIP codes across the U.S., while local forecasts offer insights on the clarity of the night sky in different locations.
What is a lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a way that the moon passes through Earth’s shadow. In a total lunar eclipse, such as the upcoming one in March, the entire moon will be enveloped in the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. Each lunar eclipse is observable from half of the Earth’s surface and there are also partial and penumbral eclipses when the alignment is not precise.
Why does the moon appear red during a lunar eclipse? When the moon is in Earth’s shadow, it takes on a red-orange hue due to the filtering of sunlight that is not obstructed by the Earth as it travels towards the moon’s surface. Lunar eclipses are sometimes referred to as blood moons because of this phenomenon. The more dust or clouds in Earth’s atmosphere during a total lunar eclipse, the redder the moon will appear, as explained by NASA.
Why is March’s full moon called the Worm Moon? The nickname “Worm Moon” may have originated from the presence of earthworms as spring approaches, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Alternatively, historical sources suggest the name dates back to observations in the 1760s of worms or beetle larvae emerging from bark as trees thaw after winter. There are various other names associated with March’s full moon, reflecting the transition from winter to spring.
What else can be observed during the full Blood Worm Moon? If there is light rain during the full moon, a rare moonbow might be visible, resembling a rainbow but created by moonlight rather than sunlight. Moonbows are most noticeable when the full Moon is low in the sky, typically in the hours following sunset when the sky is dark. Additionally, viewers can look towards the western sky during the total lunar eclipse night to spot Jupiter and Mars, according to NASA. The dimming effect of Earth’s shadow on the Moon’s glow may make constellations more discernible than usual.
