A “supermoon” is rising this week.
dpa / photo alliance through Getty Images
Are you ready for the first “supermoon” of 2021? According to some interpretations, this weekend’s full moon is called “Super Worm Moon” – the first spring of 2021.
Here ‘s all you need to know when and where to look for it as it rises in the east this weekend.
When’s the Full ‘Super Worm Moon?’
Our Moon will be full at 18:48 Universal Time on Sunday, March 28, 2021, but the time to see a full moon will have the biggest impact at Moonrise. That goes twice for a “supermoon. ”
When to see the full ‘Super Worm Moon’
The best time to see the “Super Worm Moon” will be at the time of the rising of the moon on Sunday, March 28, 2021, so check the time of the rising of the moon for your location. Be a place at that point – somewhere high with a good view of the eastern horizon makes it easier – and be patient. The Full Moon please certainly the appearance of the skies is clear.
- On Sunday, March 28, 2021 in New York, there will be a sunset at 7:16 pm EST and a moonrise at 7:21 pm EST.
- On Sunday, March 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, the sunset will be at 7:10 pm PST and the moon will rise at 7:26 pm PST.
- On Sunday, March 28, 2021 in London, the sun will set at 7:09 pm BST and the moon will rise at 7:26 pm BST.
The close proximity of the sunset and moonrise this month creates the perfect setting to watch a triumphant moon rise on a full moon day.
The “super moon” is a full Moon near its perigee, the point in orbit closest to the … [+]
dpa / photo alliance through Getty Images
Is the full ‘Worm Moon’ a supermoon?
There is. Also no. It depends on who you believe, largely because there is no official definition of what a supermoon is.
A full Moon supermoon that occurs within 90% of the way closest to Earth is in a specific orbit. That definition brings four supermoons in 2021, with the “Super Worm Moon” being the first in a series. However, this weekend ‘s full moon is fine, with other definitions of supermoon – including from astronaut Richard Nole (who coined the term “supermoon”) – suggesting that the “Worm Moon” a little too far away to be called a supermoon.
A supermoon happens near a perigee– the point in the lunar monthly orbit when it is closer to Earth – which happens for “Worm Moon” on Tuesday.
What is a Moon illusion? ‘
It is an optical illusion that lasts only a few minutes. Take a full moon look over trees and buildings on your eastern horizon this weekend and the human brain will compare what it sees.
Your brain will make the Moon look bigger than it actually is, although the feeling will add a bit of magnitude to the Moon. As soon as the full Moon has risen higher above the horizon, that context and those comparisons will be lost. Your brain then causes the full Moon to appear shrinking. So always watch a full Moon at the rising of the moon!
The high moon 98.3% known as the worm moon, rising at the top of St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley … [+]
PA Images via Getty Images
Why is the Full Moon Worm Called? ‘
Spring causes worms to appear, although the full March moon is called “Moon Moon,” “Crust Moon,” “Sap Moon” and “Sugar Moon” according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
When is the next Full Moon?
While the “Worm Moon” is not the largest of the four supermoons in 2021, the next full moon – the “Super Pink Moon” – is for sure. It will turn full on Monday, April 26, 2021.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.