March's Full Blood Worm Moon with Lunar Eclipse

The March full moon, known as the "Blood Worm Moon," is an exciting astronomical event. It will glow with a reddish hue during the total lunar eclipse, creating a beautiful sight for skywatchers.

This full moon will reach its brightest point at 2:55 a.m. ET on Friday, March 14. However, people will be able to see the moon turning red due to the lunar eclipse starting on the night of Thursday, March 13, continuing into early Friday, based on local time zones.

Viewing the Blood Worm Moon

Although the full moon will rise on Friday morning, it will appear full from Wednesday night until Saturday morning. Specific moonrise times can be found based on different locations across the U.S., as suggested by the Old Farmer's Almanac. Local weather forecasts will also indicate how clear the sky will be for optimal viewing of the moon.

The Blood Moon effect will begin before the full moon reaches its peak brightness. As the lunar eclipse starts, the moon will begin passing through Earth’s shadow at 11:57 p.m. EDT on Thursday. While the dimming effect may not be noticeable until around 1:09 a.m. on Friday, the moon will be completely covered by Earth’s shadow from about 2:26 a.m. until 3:31 a.m. The red moon will be at its peak visibility around 2:59 a.m.

After this time, the moon will start emerging from Earth’s shadow between 3:31 a.m. and 4:48 a.m., with the final part of its shadow being exited by 6 a.m. Viewers in North and South America will have the best chances to witness this unique event, though some observers in parts of Europe and Africa might catch a glimpse too.

How to Watch the Eclipse

Even when the moon is fully in Earth's shadow during the eclipse, it will still be visible, appearing red-orange due to filtering of sunlight through our atmosphere. To see this phenomenon, you don't need special equipment, but using binoculars or a telescope can enhance the experience. It is best to find a dark place with minimal light pollution for the clearest view.

Understanding Lunar Eclipses

A lunar eclipse happens when the sun, Earth, and moon align, causing the moon to enter the Earth’s shadow. During a total lunar eclipse, like the one occurring now, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, which creates the striking red color. Any sunlight that isn’t blocked by the Earth during the eclipse is filtered through a thick slice of Earth's atmosphere, causing the moon to glow a reddish hue.

The Significance of the Worm Moon

This month's full moon is also called the Worm Moon, a name that likely originates from the appearance of earthworms as spring approaches. Other names for March's full moon include the Eagle Moon, Goose Moon, Crow Comes Back Moon, Sugar Moon, Wind Strong Moon, and Sore Eyes Moon.

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