The full 'Worm Moon' for March 2022 is almost upon us, and as always, you have a few chances over the next couple of days to get an incredible look at it. Our Solar System is a tiny, yet fascinating place in outer space. Between the Sun, Mars, Saturn, Venus, and the Kuiper asteroid belt, it's a small pocket in the universe with plenty to see.
One of the most iconic members of the Solar System is our very own Moon. The Moon is important for a few different reasons. Thanks to the constant gravitational pull between the Moon and Earth, we have regular increases and decreases in our sea levels (better known as tides). The Moon also plays a big role in people's circadian rhythms, the spawning of new corals on the Great Barrier Reef, and migration periods for petrel seabirds. The Moon is also a visual treat for everyone on Earth — especially when it turns into a full Moon.
The Full Moon phase happens around the middle of every month. The most recent 'Snow Moon' took place on February 16. Before that, the 'Wolf Moon' appeared in the night sky on January 17. Here in March 2022, the next Full Moon will appear early in the morning on Friday, March 18. March's Full Moon is better known as the Worm Moon. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, the Worm Moon gets its name from Native Americans, Colonial Americans, and Europeans. It was long believed that the Worm Moon name referenced earthworms coming out of the soil to mark the beginning of Spring. As the Almanac explains, however, the actual origin dates back to the late 1700s: "In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes and wrote that the name Worm Moon refers to a different sort of 'worm'—beetle larvae—which begin to emerge from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time." Some people also refer to March's Full Moon as the 'Sugar Moon,' 'Wind Strong Moon,' and 'Sore Eyes Moon,' but Worm Moon is generally the most popular name.
When You Can See This Year's Full Worm Moon
If you want to see this year's Full Worm Moon for yourself, you have a couple of opportunities to do so. According to the Almanac, the 2022 Worm Moon will be its brightest at 3:20 AM EDT / 12:20 AM PDT on Friday, March 18. If the idea of waking up at 3 in the morning or staying up past midnight doesn't appeal to you, that's not the only time you'll get to see the Full Moon. It'll be visible earlier in the evening on Thursday, March 17, and again on Friday night. It won't be at its very brightest during these windows, but it should still look every bit as stunning.
Some Moon-watchers may also have the opportunity to see a rare 'moonbow.' This happens when there are water droplets in the air, and the Moon is low enough in the sky to refract its light through them. March's full Moon is usually one of the better opportunities to see a moonbow, so be sure to be on the lookout for one if it's raining in your area on Thursday night.
Beyond the possibility of a moonbow, the usual Moon-watching tips apply as they always do. The full Moon will look best if you're in a place with little or no light pollution. In other words, try looking at the full Moon from in a rural area rather than the heart of a city. Clear skies are also necessary for the best view, so keep an eye out for any pesky clouds. Bundle up if you need to, find a comfy/safe spot to watch from, and enjoy the March 2022 Worm Moon to its fullest!
Source: The Old Farmer's Almanac