Full 'Worm Moon' Happening Soon; Here's When To Spot It and Why This Cosmic Event Matters

A full 'worm moon' is set to rise on the evening of March 7. This coincides with several festivals and holidays all over the world.

Cultural, Religious Value of March Full 'Worm Moon'

The Almanac has dubbed this full moon as the Worm Moon because of the worms that start surfacing after the ground thaws in the northern hemisphere. Several Ojibwe or Anishinaabeg, which are indigenous people from the region of the Great Lakes, have known such an event as the Onaabidin Giizis or Snow-Crust Moon.

However, for Europeans, the full moon is known to be the Lenten moon as it comes after the fasting period before Easter. Live Science reports that this full worm moon also coincides with the Jewish holiday known as Purim, which commemorates the Jewish people's salvation from attempts to kill the Jews in ancient Persia.

For Hindus, this full worm moon will mark the Holi festival, which is a celebration of the Hindu god Radha Krishna and the victory over evil. During this event, bonfires are ignited, and revelers douse one another with colored water or powders.

When it comes to Buddhism, this full worm moon is the third lunar month's full moon. This is the time for the celebration of the Māgha Pūjā across Sri Lanka, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. Such a festival commemorates a historical gathering of Buddhist disciples.

When To Spot the Full Worm Moon

According to Forbes, viewers from across Europe will get to witness the sun and moon's perfect alignment. While some astronomers advise that the evening of the full moon is not the most optimal time for viewing it, there is something missing in this. For those who want to look into the moon's mountains and craters, it would be better to view the moon with a small telescope or a pair of binoculars when the moon is only lit partially. However, the terminator, which is the line that differentiates the bright and dark areas, is where lengthy shadows from the mountains and craters can be seen.

Live Science reports that the full worm moon will be at its fullest by 7:40 a.m. EST. According to EarthSky, the moon will appear full for days after and before this official full moon.

Full moons take place when both the sun and moon are on the earth's opposite sides. With the dayside of the moon facing the earth fully, the moon's whole disk looks round and bright.

After this full worm moon, the next full luna will take place on April 5. At times, it is also referred to as the "Pink Moon," mirroring the pink wildflowers that start blooming during this time of the year across northern America.

Check out more news and information on the Moon in Science Times.