Monday's full Worm Moon to feature lunar eclipse

Photo byNASA

The next full moon of the year comes tonight, the last one before the total solar eclipse.

The full Worm Moon will occur at 3 a.m. on March 25th, overnight tonight. It will be accompanied by a lunar eclipse, although it will be nearly invisible to the naked eye.

According to NASA, a penumbral lunar eclipse will begin at 12:53 a.m., peak at 3:12 a.m. and end at 5:32 a.m.

Unfortunately, penumbral eclipses don’t darken the moon much. The Earth has two shadows, the penumbra and the umbra. Total lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through the umbra or darker shadow. This eclipse won’t do that, so only slight dimming can be expected.

However, this eclipse precedes the Total Solar Eclipse, which will take place in just two more weeks.

Penumbral eclipse of March 25, 2024.Photo bytimeanddate.com

The “worm” moon most likely gets its name from the emergence of beetle larvae from thawing trees. It was first referred to in literature in the 1760s by Captain Jonathan Carver on a visit to the native tribes of the Dakotas.

While “worm” moon has become the most common name it can also go by many others. Not every native tribe had beetle larvae emerging, however.

According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, the Pueblo called it the “wind strong moon” after the strong winds that occur this time of year in parts of the American Southwest. Other Dakota tribes called it the “sore eyes moon” after the blinding moonlight reflecting off the snow. The Ojibwe people called it the “sugar moon” because the sap of sugar maples begins to flow this time of year. It can also be referred to as the little grass, crow, sap, or crust moon.

This year’s Worm Moon also plays a major role in determining the date of Easter. In Christianity, this year’s March full moon is called the Paschal Moon, the first full moon after the spring equinox. Thus, next Sunday will be observed as Easter and will be Palm Sunday.

The name Palm Sunday comes from John 12:13, which says, “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna!'” as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem ahead of what would be his Crucifixion five days later.

So, be sure to look at the full worm moon overnight tonight.