The blood moon is seen during a total lunar eclipse in Fish Creek, some 230 kilometres southeast of … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
The final full moon of winter — the worm moon — will rise on Friday, March 14, appearing on the eastern horizon during dusk. This year, however, it takes place shortly after a rare celestial event not seen for almost three years: a total lunar eclipse. As the Earth’s dark umbral shadow in space fully envelops the moon overnight on Thursday, March 13, and into Friday, March 14, it will take on a dramatic reddish hue, colloquially known as a “blood moon,” for a stunning 65 minutes.
Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy the twin sights of a rising full moon and, the previous evening, a stunning total lunar eclipse.
When Is The Worm Moon And Total Lunar Eclipse?
The worm moon will reach its full phase at 2:56 a.m. EDT on Friday, March 14, and be best seen rising in the east later than evening at moonrise where you are.
The total lunar eclipse is a global event that will occur overnight on Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14.
This composite image created on January 31, 2018 shows the moon during a total lunar eclipse. (Photo … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
Best Time To See The Total Lunar Eclipse
The total lunar eclipse is a global event that will occur at the same time across the night side of Earth — between 03:57 and 10:00 UTC on Friday, March 14.
Ensure you’re outside during totality for the most vivid views of the moon’s deep red glow. The 65 minutes of totality will occur between 06:26 and 07:31 UTC, which translates to these time zones in North America:
- 2:26-3:31 a.m. EDT on Friday, March 14.
- 1:26-2:31 a.m. CDT on Friday, March 14.
- 00:26-1:31 a.m. MST on Friday, March 14.
- 11:26 p.m. on PST on Thursday, March 13 to 00:31 a.m. on Friday, March 14.
- 10:26-11.31 p.m. AKDT on Thursday, March 13.
- 8:26-9:31 p.m. HST on Thursday, March 13.
If you get outside around 75 minutes before (and after) these times, you’ll also see the edge of Earth’s shadow gradually move across the moon’s surface, which is a spectacular sight in itself.
A full worm moon rises in the sky behind the high-rise tower seen from Parel, on March 9, 2020, in … [+]
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Best Time To See The Full Worm Moon Rise
In the wake of the excitement of the total lunar eclipse, don’t overlook the opportunity to view the just-off full moon rise in the east during dusk the following evening. The best viewing time to see the worm moon will be moonrise on Friday, March 14, just after sunset.
- New York: sunset will occur at 7:01 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 14, with moonrise at 7:38 p.m. EDT.
- Los Angeles: sunset will occur at 6:59 p.m. PDT on Friday, March 14, with moonrise at 7:41 p.m. PDT.
- London: sunset will occur at 6:02 p.m. GMT on Friday, March 14, with moonrise at 6:31 p.m. GMT.
When Is The Next Full Moon?
After the worm moon, the next full moon will be the pink moon on Saturday, April 12, marking the first full moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. However, before that, on March 29, a partial solar eclipse — the sister celestial event of the total lunar eclipse — will occur and be seen from North America (though only from northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada) and Europe.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.