How to see the penumbral lunar eclipse, March's full Worm Moon
The blog post has been recently revised on March 24, 2024, at 5:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, according to CBS News.
This month, individuals who are keen on astronomy can witness an extraordinary Worm Moon, as the full moon of March appears in a penumbral lunar eclipse.
NASA says that March's full moon will be at its brightest at 1 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, but it will still look full until Tuesday morning. The Old Farmer's Almanac provides information about when the moon will rise in different ZIP codes around the country.
On the late evening of March 24 and early morning of March 25, we will witness a penumbral eclipse as the full moon moves through the faint outer part of the Earth's shadow known as the penumbra.
Where Can You See A Penumbral Eclipse?
The penumbral eclipse falls under a group of three varying kinds of lunar eclipses. The other two are the complete lunar eclipse and the incomplete lunar eclipse.
According to NASA, everyone in North and South America will be able to see the penumbral lunar eclipse. If you're not aware of it, it's likely to go unnoticed.
When the eclipse happens, there will be a small decrease in the brightness of the moon for a few hours at night. The moon will begin to move into the Earth's shadow at 12:53 a.m. Eastern Time, and will reach the maximum point of the eclipse at 3:13 a.m. During this time, 96% of the moon's surface will be partially covered by the shadow. The moon will be out of the shadow by 5:32 a.m.
A partial lunar eclipse is coming up on September 18th and it will be viewable in multiple regions including the Americas, Europe, and Africa. There won't be a complete lunar eclipse until March 2022, which is eagerly anticipated by astronomy enthusiasts.
The Reason For March's Worm Moon?
Moon names usually originate from natural events such as seasons, traditional harvests and the actions of specific animals. The term "Worm Moon" possibly takes its name from the earthworms that are usually spotted as spring approaches, based on information from The Old Farmer's Almanac. The label may also allude to the emergence of worms or beetle larvae from under the bark as trees melt from winter's grip.
The full moon for March has several alternative titles that pertain to different creatures. These include names like the Eagle Moon, Goose Moon, and Crow Comes Back Moon. It is also identified as the Sugar Moon, the Wind Strong Moon, and the Sore Eyes Moon.
The full moon that will occur in March this year is termed the Paschal Full Moon, as it marks the initial full moon of the spring season.
What Other Sights Await In The Spring Sky?
In the upcoming April, we can look forward to some exciting celestial events. A major highlight will be the total solar eclipse taking place on April 8 that everyone has been eagerly waiting for. Besides this, we will also be able to witness the Lyrid meteor shower's peak on the nights of April 21 and 22. Following closely after that, April's full moon, known as the Pink Moon, will shine brightly at its peak on April 23.
The full moon occurring in May, which is known as the Flower Moon, will be at its highest level of brightness on May 23rd.
Aliza Chasan works for 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com as a digital producer. Before that, she wrote for several media outlets such as PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition, and DNAinfo. Aliza reports on the latest and most talked-about news, with a particular focus on crime and politics.
