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The full moon of March 2026 will reach its maximum brightness on Tuesday, March 3, at 6:38 a.m. Eastern Time. At this precise moment, Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon, placing them on opposite sides of our planet. This specific alignment causes the Moon's entire disk to appear fully illuminated from our perspective. This luminous event is traditionally known as the Worm Moon.
The name likely originates from the seasonal transition when cold, frozen ground begins to soften. As the soil becomes pliable, earthworms emerge to the surface, providing a feast for returning birds. An alternative explanation from The Old Farmers' Almanac suggests that Native American tribes named the moon this way to describe the thawing of tree bark. This thawing process releases worm-like beetle larvae from the trees, signaling the start of the growing season.
The Worm Moon will appear remarkably large when it rises over the eastern horizon just after sunset on Monday, March 2. It will shine prominently below the stars that form the constellation Leo, which resembles a lion. As the Moon first ascends, its light must travel through the thickest portion of Earth's atmosphere. This atmospheric density can cause the Moon's outline to appear wavy and distorted. Additionally, this phenomenon often bathes the Moon in a warm yellow or orange hue. As the Moon climbs higher into the winter sky, it loses this coloration and transforms into a brilliant, shining silver.
While the exact moment the Moon is 100% full remains consistent globally, the local time of visibility varies slightly by location. The following are the peak fullness times for several major cities:
It is important to note that your local Moonrise and Moonset times will differ from these specific moments of perfect fullness. The times listed above mark the exact instant of lunar alignment.
The primary designation of the March Moon refers to the return of earthworms or beetle larvae. However, various cultures across history have assigned different names to this same celestial event. Native American tribes also referred to it as the Sugar Moon or the Sap Moon. These titles mark the specific time when maple tree sap begins to flow, a process that produces maple syrup. In ancient England, people utilized the names Chaste Moon and Death Moon for the March full Moon.
Some names derive from the birds spotted in March skies, such as the Goose Moon and the Eagle Moon. The Native American Pueblo people called it the Wind Strong Moon, a reference to the powerful gusts common in the Northern Hemisphere during March. Other tribes designated it the Sore Eyes Moon, highlighting the Moon's impressive brightness in the evening sky.
The March full Moon also coincides with significant global celebrations. It aligns with the Hindu festival of Holika Dahan. On this night, communities light large bonfires to honor the god Vishnu and celebrate the victory of good over evil. The following day is Holi, the Festival of Colors, where participants throw colored paints and powders to welcome the arrival of spring. In 2026, China's traditional Lantern Festival also falls on March 3. Crowds gather for spectacular light shows to mark the conclusion of Chinese New Year celebrations.
This year, the full Moon brings a special astronomical event: a total lunar eclipse. Sometimes called a "Blood Moon," this phenomenon occurs when Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon. Earth casts its dark shadow, known as the umbra, onto the Moon's surface. In March 2026, observers across North America, East Asia, New Zealand, and Australia will witness at least a portion of this eclipse.
The main event begins at 6:04 a.m. EST on March 3, when the Moon starts to slide into the deepest part of Earth's shadow. The Moon will remain completely inside this shadow for 58 minutes. During this period, called "totality," the Moon will turn a deep blood-red color. This coloration happens because sunlight from all of Earth's sunrises and sunsets is bent, or refracted, onto the Moon.
Viewers in the Americas will see the early stages of the eclipse. They will watch Earth's shadow move from left to right across the Moon. They may witness the first minutes of the red totality before the Moon sets below the horizon at dawn.
After sunset on March 3, look toward the eastern sky to see the full Moon. Look to the upper right of the Moon, approximately two fist-widths away, to find the bright star Regulus. It is the brightest star in the constellation Leo and shines with a blue-white light. During a full Moon, the sky is very bright due to moonlight, making only the brightest stars easily visible without a telescope.
Now, imagine a line extending from the Moon through Regulus and continue that line high up into the sky. You will find the planet Jupiter. It appears as a very bright, steady "evening star." If you have a small telescope, you might observe bands on Jupiter's cloudy surface. You might also spot its four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
Look to the left of Jupiter to see two bright stars close together. These are Castor and Pollux, representing the heads of the twins in the constellation Gemini. Look down from these stars toward the horizon to find the bright "dog stars," Procyon and Sirius. Sirius is the brightest star in the entire night sky. To the right of these stars, look for the constellation Orion, which features red, white, and blue stars.
Just after sunset, look to the west. You might see Venus glowing near the horizon. Look for Saturn about three finger-widths to the upper left of Venus. Saturn and Venus will set approximately an hour and a half after the Sun. Always check a reliable source for exact rise and set times from your location. Never look directly at the Sun or near the Sun with binoculars or a telescope.
The March full Moon is an excellent opportunity to examine the Moon's surface features. The entire face is lit by the Sun, allowing viewers to see the dark lunar "seas" and bright rays of material thrown out by giant impacts long ago. You can also attempt to photograph the Moon. A DSLR camera with a telephoto lens works very well for this purpose. You can track how shadows change on the Moon's surface throughout the month.
Here are some top tips for photographing the Moon:
The Moon can appear huge when it is near the horizon next to trees or buildings. It often looks orange-yellow there due to air scattering sunlight. When the Moon is high overhead, it looks cleaner and more classic white.
Here are the dates and times for a few key full moons in 2026:
Remember, these times represent the exact moment of full illumination. The time you see the Moon rise or set will be different and depends on where you live. For the best viewing plan, use an app like Stellarium or SkySafari. These applications can provide your local Moonrise time.