The stunning ‘Worm Moon eclipse’ will darken the sky for just five hours this weekend
A FULL ‘worm’ moon is expected to light up the night sky this Monday.
The “worm moon” is the third full moon of 2024 and will reach maximum brightness on Monday, March 25 at 3 a.m. ET.
Perhaps most notably, this full moon will pass through Earth’s outer shadow, resulting in a “mild penumbral lunar eclipse,” Live Science reported.
This will happen between 00:53 and 05:32 ET and during the peak more than 90% of the moon will be in the shadow.
This subtle spectacle can be viewed from North America, South America, Europe, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Stargazers won’t get the chance to see another partial lunar eclipse until September 18.
WHAT IS A lunar Eclipse?
Lunar eclipses occur during the full moon phase, when the Earth is between the moon and the sun.
When this happens, the Earth’s shadow falls on the moon’s surface.
“That will make the full moon appear fainter as a strange-looking shadow moves across its surface,” the release said.
Lunar eclipses typically last only a few hours and can be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth.
Because they are usually quite faint, it is also possible to view lunar eclipses without eye protection.
Additionally, this minor lunar eclipse will occur exactly two weeks before the Great North American Solar Eclipse on April 8.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon in which the sun, blocked by the moon, casts a shadow on the Earth.
This partial or total blocking can only occur when the sun, moon and earth are aligned.
As the sun’s rays are blocked, people get a chance to witness the fiery corona.
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WHY IS IT CALLED THE WORM MOON
The Farmers’ Almanac calls March’s full moon the Worm Moon.
It is believed that the worm moon gets its name from the worms and battles that typically arise when spring arrives.
Moon names in the Farmer’s Almanac often come from Native American tribes.
The worm moon is also called the sugar moon by the Ojibwe tribes The Washington Post.
Meanwhile, other indigenous tribes have called March’s moon the Crow Moon.