.jpeg)
Night owls across the United States and beyond will soon have the opportunity to witness a breathtaking total lunar eclipse, where the moon will be bathed in a striking dusty red hue as it traverses the Earth's shadow. This celestial event is set to unfold later this week, and its majesty will be visible from every U.S. state and various locations throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Mark your calendars for Thursday evening or Friday morning, depending on your time zone. This total lunar eclipse, the first in three years, will showcase a "blood worm moon," aptly named for its reddish glow and the seasonal timing of its occurrence.
Here’s what you should know to fully appreciate this stunning phenomenon.
Viewing the Total Lunar Eclipse
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align closely in a straight line, with Earth positioned in the center. This alignment is scientifically referred to as syzygy.
The eclipse reaches its peak, known as totality, as the full moon enters the darkest section of Earth's shadow, known as the umbra. For those on the West Coast, the eclipse will commence at 11:26 p.m. on Thursday, while East Coast observers can expect to see it at 2:26 a.m. on Friday morning. Totality will last for approximately 65 minutes, with a partial eclipse beginning about an hour and 15 minutes prior to the total eclipse.
To enhance your viewing experience, seek a dark environment, as the eclipse is visible to the naked eye. However, using binoculars or a telescope will provide an even more captivating view. The dimming effect of Earth's shadow may allow stars to shimmer alongside the moon's edge, as noted by Sky & Telescope. Interestingly, the upper half of the moon may appear slightly brighter than the lower half, due to its position within Earth's umbra.
 |
| A map created by NASA shows where on Earth this week's total lunar eclipse will be visible. (NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio) |
The Origin of the Term "Worm Moon"
Historically, the full moon in March has been referred to as a worm moon, as documented by The Old Farmer's Almanac. This name is believed to correlate with the emergence of earthworms as temperatures rise and spring approaches. Additionally, the Almanac shares that in the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver noted that some Native American tribes used this term to signify the appearance of beetle larvae emerging from thawing tree bark.
Various Native American tribes have also assigned other names to the March moon, including the Eagle Moon, the Goose Moon, the Crow Comes Back Moon, the Sugar Moon, the Wind Strong Moon, and the Sore Eyes Moon.
Understanding the "Blood" Red Color of the Moon
Despite being entirely enveloped in Earth's shadow, the moon will still be visible. This is due to sunlight filtering through the Earth's atmosphere and bending toward the moon. The long-wavelength red light passing through this atmospheric layer will cast a reddish hue upon the moon, giving rise to its evocative nickname. As NASA describes it, the moon's reddish-brown or reddish-orange color is a reflection of "the glow of all the sunrises and sunsets on Earth."
The exact shade of red that the moon will exhibit may vary, influenced by how deeply it penetrates the umbra and the atmospheric conditions—such as clouds or dust—present at the time of the eclipse, as highlighted by Sky & Telescope. Additionally, the term "blood moon" is also associated with one of the full moons that appears near the onset of fall, according to NASA.
Prepare to embrace the wonder of this celestial event, and let the beauty of the cosmos inspire you!