Every so often, it seems that a lot of buzz builds for a big moon event with a strange name. On one hand, it seems kind of odd to get so excited about something that you can almost set your watch to.
On the other hand, this also means that if you missed the last one that people couldn’t stop talking about, you won’t have to wait long for a chance to see another.
Well, it seems that chance has arrived once again because the Super Worm Moon is almost here.
As the first day of spring looms, so too does the Super Worm Moon.
As Global News reported , this will be the third and final full super moon of the year.
Although other super moons will occur on August 1st, August 30, and September 28, these won’t be visible because they won’t be reflecting as much sunlight as this one.
So what’s so super about this oddly-named moon?
According to NASA, a super moon appears 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal.
It’s also decidedly not a “blood moon” because it isn’t happening at the same time as a lunar eclipse, so there’s no reddish color to this one.
The reason why the moon is so “super” looking is because it’s at its closest point in its orbit to the earth.
That point is known as a perigee, which is why astronomers also call super moons “perigean moons.”
Fortunately, catching a glimpse of the Super Worm Moon won’t involve getting up at an unreasonable hour.
As Global News reported , the moon should be visible at 5:58 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, March 20.
This time also marks the start of the vernal equinox, when the sun shines evenly across the earth’s equator.
This means the days will get longer from here on out until June 21, when the summer solstice begins.
So we’ve definitely established why the “super” part of this moon’s name is appropriate, but why call it the worm moon?
The term “worm moon” comes from the Old Farmer’s Almanac and it refers to the fact that we’re seeing the first full moon of March.
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Around the time it appears, the spring thaw is going on, so we’re starting to see earthworms that spent all winter frozen in the ground.
It’s also sometimes called the “sap moon” because it also marks the start of maple syrup season.
So now, you’ve got all you need to know before tonight when the Super Worm Moon shows up.
That is, of course, as long as weather permits and it isn’t blocked out by storm clouds. But as you can see, that can make for a pretty cool sight too.
h/t: Global News