The third full moon of 2024—the “Worm”—will grace the evening skies this coming week as it rises in the east just as the sun sets in the west.
As a bonus, a small partial lunar eclipse will occur for the night side of the Earth, including North and South America, Europe, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It’s direct evidence that an “eclipse season” is upon us, resulting in a spectacular and rare total solar eclipse across North America on April 8, 2024.
Dubbed the “Worm Moon” — but also the “Crow Moon” and the “Lent Moon” — here’s everything you need to know about the full moon rising and the eclipse later that evening:
When is the “lunar eclipse with worms?”
The full moon will pass by Earth penumbraits outer, indistinct shadow, as the sun, Earth, and full moon are almost, but not quite, aligned.
Monday, March 25
- In New York, the moon will begin to wane from 12:53 AM. EDT to 5:32 a.m. EDT, with maximum eclipse at 3:12 a.m. EDT.
- In London, the moon will begin to eclipse from 04:53 AM. GMT to moonset at 06:01 AM. GMT. The maximum eclipse will not be visible.
Sunday March 24/Monday, March 25
- In Los Angeles, the moon will set from 9:53 p.m. PDT to 02:32 AM PDT, with maximum eclipse at 12:12 a.m. EDT.
The effect of a semigynical lunar eclipse will be to make the full moon appear fainter. It will be fascinating to observe, but arguably, an equally beautiful sight will be the wormhole full moon that appears on the eastern horizon at dusk.
When is the “Worm” Full Moon?
The “Worm Moon” will become full at 12:30 UTC/7:30 AM. EST on Sunday, February 24, and the best time to watch it rise will be at dusk later that day.
The best time to see the “Worm” sunrise.
A full moon is best seen when it appears on the eastern horizon just after the sun sets in the west. It will now look more prominent than usual and will be a beautiful, muted orange. The best time to see it will be moonrise where you are either Saturday 24th February or Monday 25th March depending on your location.
From North America this month, the full moon will rise closest to sunset the day before the moon illuminates, making moonrise on Sunday, March 24, the best time to see it. For Europe, it’s Monday, March 25.
Sunday, March 24
- In New York, sunset is at 7:12 PM. EDT and moonrise is at 6:49 p.m. EDT.
- In Los Angeles, sunset is at 7:07 PM. PST and moonrise at 6:53 p.m. PST.
Monday, March 25
- In London, sunset is at 6:21 PM. GMT and moonrise is at 6:48 p.m. GMT (moment of full moon is at 7:01 am GMT).
When is the next Full Moon?
The next full moon after the ‘Worm Moon’ will be the ‘Pink Moon’ at 23:48 UTC/7:48 PM. EDT on Tuesday, April 23—the fourth full moon of 2024. It will mark the first day of the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach).
I wish you clear skies and open eyes.