Skywatchers, get ready! March’s full “Blood Worm Moon” is set to dazzle stargazers with a total lunar eclipse, casting a deep red glow across the night sky.
The celestial event will reach peak illumination at 2:55 a.m. ET on Friday, March 14, and will be visible across much of the Western Hemisphere, according to NASA.
The full moon will rise early on Friday, appearing full from Wednesday evening through Saturday morning. The lunar eclipse will begin on Thursday night, March 13, at 11:57 p.m. EDT as the moon enters Earth’s shadow. While initial dimming may be subtle, the moon will turn noticeably darker around 1:09 a.m.
The peak of the total eclipse, when the moon is fully shaded-will occur between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m., with the most striking red hue visible around 2:59 a.m.
By 4:48 a.m., the moon will begin to emerge from Earth’s shadow, marking the eclipse’s end by 6 a.m. Viewers in North and South America will have the best vantage points, though parts of Europe and Africa may also catch a glimpse of the spectacle.
How to Watch the Eclipse?
No special equipment is required to witness the lunar eclipse, though binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view. For the clearest sight, head to a dark location away from city lights.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth, sun, and moon align, with the Earth casting its shadow over the moon. Sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere scatters, filtering out blue light and allowing only red and orange hues to reach the moon’s surface-creating the “Blood Moon” effect.
The Meaning Behind the ‘Worm Moon’
March’s full moon is traditionally called the “Worm Moon,” a name rooted in the appearance of earthworms as spring approaches. Other traditional names for this moon include the Eagle Moon, Crow Comes Back Moon, Sugar Moon, and Wind Strong Moon.
