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The Worm Moon is Coming — Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The Worm Moon marks the start of spring.

Full moon called worm moon
Dag Sundberg / Getty Images

A new month means a whole new moon cycle, and this month the first full moon will be a Worm Moon. If you’re not sure what that is but you’re intrigued, here’s everything you need to know. Mark your calendars!

What is a Worm Moon?

The Full Moons always have interesting names and the story behind the Worm Moon is no different. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Full Moon in March is called the Worm Moon because of the time of year, and not what the moon looks like.

The Worm Moon marks the days that come just before spring when the ground begins to thaw from winter. This time marks when the earthworms come out of the soil for the first time of the year, marking spring since worms provide food for other animals and birds.

When does the Worm Moon happen?

The Worm Moon will reach its peak illumination in the early morning on March 18 around 3:20 a.m. EDT time. It’s one of the brightest moons which means you should be able to see it with your own eyes and a clear sky. It’s going to be brightest as it rises above the horizon.

How to see the Worm Moon

Moons are pretty hard to miss when they’re in the sky and that’s why it’s one of the best ways to get kids excited about astronomy – you don’t need a whole lot of planning other than a calendar reminder.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss this month’s Worm Moon, the Almanac has a tool to find the best time to see the full impact of the moon’s illumination based on where you live. It will give the general time for when the moon is set to rise, which is the best time to catch the Worm Moon.

When will the next Full Moon take place?

The next Full moon will show on April 16, in the evening. This Full Moon is called the Pink Moon which gets its name from a pink spring flower, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Unfortunately, it’s not pink in color like the name suggests, but still a beautiful moon to catch.