March Super Worm Moon: The First Supermoon of 2020
Keep your eyes on the sky, as the first Supermoon of 2020 is coming. Let’s find out when and how we can see it and what to expect.
When to see the Full Moon in March 2020
The Full Moon will grace the sky on March 9, 2020, at 17:48 UTC but will appear full to the eye on the nights of March 8 and 9. Full Moons always rise at sunset and set at sunrise. No matter where you are, enjoy the spectacularly bright Moon shining in the constellation Leo from dusk till dawn. Be sure to check the stargazing app Star Walk 2 to find out when and where the Moon rises and sets when viewing from your location.
The first Supermoon of the year
March Full Moon will be the third Full Moon, the first Supermoon, and the second-closest to Earth Full Moon of 2020. Its distance from our planet will be 357,404 km (222,081 miles). A “Supermoon” is a Full Moon that occurs near or coincides with perigee, its closest approach to Earth. Another name for this event is a “Perigee Full Moon”. March Supermoon will appear slightly larger (14%) and brighter (30%) in the sky than a typical Full Moon, however, this difference can be unnoticeable to the naked eyes of casual observers. The next two Supermoons of the year will take place on April 8 at a distance of 357,034 km or 221,851 miles from Earth and on May 7 at a distance of 361,184 km or 224,429 miles.
Worm Moon, Harvest Moon
The Full Moon in March is the last Full Moon before the spring equinox which can take place on March 19, 20, or 21 and marks the start of spring. It is known as the Worm Moon, Crow Moon and Sap Moon. The most common name is the Full Worm Moon, as temperatures warm at this time of the year, the ground begins to soften, earthworms appear on the surface of the soil and birds begin to find them.
This makes sense for the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, the March Full Moon is the closest Full Moon to the autumn (fall) equinox and therefore is called the Full Harvest Moon. For those living in the Southern Hemisphere, the Full Worm Moon takes place in September.
If you want to capture the Moon at its biggest and brightest, to be at the right time to photograph it with an interesting foreground or just enjoy a beautiful view, the new app “Ephemeris – Sun and Moon Calendar & Calculator” is worth trying. The app allows you to predict and visualize the positions of the Moon, the Sun and the Milky Way for any place, date and time. It is an indispensable tool for capturing unique moments.
