The Worm Moon and the Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse: An Astronomical Delight
In an exciting celestial event, the next full moon, known as the Worm Moon, will coincide with a total lunar eclipse. This astronomical phenomenon is set to occur in the early hours of Friday morning, March 14, at precisely 2:55 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). However, the moon will appear full for a span of approximately three days, stretching from Wednesday evening through to Saturday morning.
As the moon traverses the opposite side of the sun, it will pass through Earth’s shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse. This process will commence on Thursday night at 11:57 p.m. EDT when the moon begins to enter Earth’s partial shadow. The dimming effect will become noticeable when the moon enters the Earth’s full shadow at 1:09 a.m. on Friday. Gradually, the shadow will move across the moon’s surface, from the lower left to the upper right, until the moon is completely enveloped in shadow by 2:26 a.m.
The total eclipse phase, when the moon is fully obscured, will last for about 65 minutes, peaking at 2:59 a.m. and concluding at 3:31 a.m. Despite being in full shadow, the moon will remain visible, taking on a reddish-brown tint. This phenomenon, often referred to as a "Blood Moon," is due to the scattering of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere, casting a reddish glow on the moon’s surface. The term "Blood Moon" is also associated with certain full moons that occur near the onset of autumn.
Following the total eclipse, the moon will gradually emerge from Earth’s shadow, with the shadow moving from the upper left to the lower right. By 4:48 a.m., the moon will have completely exited the full shadow, and the eclipse will officially end at 6 a.m. when the moon leaves the partial shadow.
Historically, the naming of full moons has cultural significance. The Maine Farmers’ Almanac began popularizing Native American names for full moons in the 1930s, a tradition that has since become widely recognized. According to this almanac, various Native American tribes in the northeastern United States called the March full moon by names such as the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon. The more northern tribes referred to it as the Crow Moon, with the cawing of crows signaling the end of winter. Other names included the Crust Moon, due to the crust that formed on snow as it thawed by day and froze by night, or the Sap (or Sugar) Moon, marking the time for tapping maple trees. The southern tribes named it the Worm Moon, in reference to the earthworm casts that became visible as the ground thawed. This name is particularly pertinent to southern tribes, as glaciers had wiped out native earthworms in the northern regions. Consequently, the earthworms in these areas today are largely invasive species introduced from Europe and Asia.
In keeping with the tradition of naming moons based on seasonal phenomena, the Worm Moon has also been humorously dubbed the Pothole Moon by some, alluding to the increased prevalence of potholes during this time of year.
Celestial Events Leading Up to the Next Full Moon
As we transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the amount of daylight continues to increase, with the most rapid change occurring around the spring equinox on March 20. On the day of the full moon, March 14, morning twilight will start at 6:23 a.m. EDT, and sunrise will occur at 7:20 a.m. Solar noon will be at 1:17 p.m., with the sun reaching its highest point at 48.9 degrees. Sunset is set for 7:14 p.m., and evening twilight will conclude at 8:12 p.m. By the next full moon on April 12, these times will have shifted to reflect the lengthening days of spring.
During this lunar cycle, backyard astronomers can enjoy observing planets like Jupiter and Mars in the evening sky. Venus and Mercury will be visible early in the cycle, though they will be low on the horizon and may require a clear western view. Jupiter’s four bright moons—Ganymede, Callisto, Europa, and Io—will be visible, offering an engaging sight as they change positions throughout the night. Uranus, while too dim to be seen without a telescope during the moonlit nights, may become visible in darker skies later in the cycle.
No major meteor showers or comets are expected to be visible without a telescope during this lunar cycle.
Evening of the Full Moon
On the evening of March 13, as twilight ends at 8:11 p.m. EDT, the moon will be 14 degrees above the eastern horizon. Venus will shine brightly, positioned 4 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon and visible as a slender crescent through a telescope. Jupiter will be prominently visible at 62 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon, followed by Mars at 72 degrees above the southeastern horizon. Mercury will be visible to the left of Venus, also 4 degrees above the western horizon. Uranus, visible only under extremely clear and dark conditions, will be positioned 45 degrees above the western horizon. The closest bright star overhead will be Capella, located 75 degrees above the northwestern horizon. Capella, the sixth brightest star in our night sky and part of the constellation Auriga, is actually a system of four stars orbiting each other, located about 43 light-years from Earth.
High in the sky, the constellation Orion will be easily identifiable, with its three-star belt. This time of year, the sky is dotted with bright stars from the south-southeast to the northwest, a result of looking toward the Local Arm of our galaxy, known as the Orion Arm. This arm spans approximately 3,500 light years in width and 10,000 light years in length. Among the bright stars visible from this region are those in Orion’s Belt, along with Rigel, Betelgeuse, Polaris, and Deneb.
As this lunar cycle progresses, the stellar background will shift westward by about a degree each evening around the pole star Polaris. Venus will disappear below the horizon on March 16, followed by Mercury on March 17. On March 30, Mars will pass by the bright star Pollux for the third time in six months, having changed its apparent direction—a phenomenon known as retrograde motion.
The waxing moon will have various encounters with celestial objects, appearing near the Pleiades star cluster on April 1, Jupiter on April 2, Mars and Pollux on April 5, and Regulus on April 7 and 8.
Morning of the Full Moon
On the morning of March 14, as twilight begins at 6:23 a.m. EDT, the setting full moon will be 12 degrees above the western horizon. No planets will be visible at this time. The bright star Vega will be positioned 68 degrees above the eastern horizon. Vega, the fifth brightest star in the night sky and part of the constellation Lyra, is one of the three stars that form the "Summer Triangle" along with Deneb and Altair. It is located about 25 light years from Earth and shines about 40 times brighter than our sun.
As the lunar cycle progresses, the stars will continue their westward shift. The waning moon will pass near Spica on March 16 and 17, and Antares on March 20. Bright Venus will reemerge as the morning star around March 21 and remain visible after March 29. Mercury and Saturn will also become visible in early April, with Mercury eventually outshining Saturn as it becomes a fuller crescent.
On the morning of April 13, the moon will be 10 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon, with the bright star Spica nearby. As twilight begins, Venus will be visible 5 degrees above the eastern horizon, with Saturn and Mercury rising shortly after.
A Calendar of Celestial Events
For those interested in tracking celestial events, here is a detailed schedule leading up to the next full moon on April 12, 2025. These times and positions are based on observations from NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and may vary depending on your location. For a more tailored experience, consider using an astronomy app or local resources.
March 8: Mercury will reach its greatest elongation, appearing highest in the sky as evening twilight ends.
March 8 – 9: Mars will appear near the waxing gibbous moon with the bright star Pollux nearby.
March 9: Daylight Saving Time begins, so remember to adjust your clocks.
March 11 – 12: The bright star Regulus will appear near the nearly full moon.
March 12: Saturn will pass on the far side of the Sun, transitioning from the evening to the morning sky.
March 14: The full moon and total lunar eclipse will be visible.
March 16 – 17: The waning gibbous moon will shift near the bright star Spica.
March 20: The vernal equinox marks the official start of spring.
March 22: Venus will pass through inferior conjunction, transitioning from the evening to the morning sky.
March 29: The new moon will be accompanied by a partial solar eclipse visible in select regions.
March 30: Mars will pass by Pollux for the third time, with Mercury appearing above the horizon at dawn.
April 1: Saturn will rise above the eastern horizon just before sunrise.
April 2: Jupiter will appear next to the waxing crescent moon.
April 4: The moon will reach its first quarter phase.
April 5 – 6: The waxing gibbous moon, Mars, and Pollux will form a triangle in the night sky.
April 7 – 8: The bright star Regulus will be near the waxing gibbous moon.
April 12: The full moon will be accompanied by the bright star Spica.
These celestial events provide an excellent opportunity for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts to observe and appreciate the wonders of the night sky. Whether you’re using a telescope or enjoying the view with the naked eye, this period promises to be a captivating time for all who look up to the stars.
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