The third full moon of 2021, known as Worm Moon, is getting closer and closer, heading into the night sky at the end of March.
But when exactly do you see the Moon Worm? Why is it such a strong name? And how can you take a picture of it that doesn’t look like a heavy white spec? We’ve answered these lunar questions and more below.
Plus, if you’re looking for more star recommendations, be sure to check out our full Moon UK calendar and astronomy for beginners.
When is the 2021 worm moon?
The Moon Worm can be seen from Sunday 28 March 2021 in the UK (and around the rest of the Earth).
Technically, the Moon is only ‘full’ – reflecting the maximum amount of sunlight on Earth – for only a short time. This happens when the Earth comes directly between the Moon and the Sun, a moment called ‘syzygy’.
In the UK, this will take place at 7.48pm on March 28 (remember, in the UK, the clocks run for an hour from 1am today due to British Summer Time).
Don’t worry if you miss this moment of syzygy, though: to the naked eye, the Moon appears full for another two or three nights.
Why is it called Moon Worm?
Like other names full of Moons are given out throughout the year, there is no complete agreement on why it is called Moon Worm.
Several sources claim that it comes from a group of Native Americans who named the Moon of Worms after the worm tracks seen on the newly melted ground as spring begins.
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However, with a full moon in March this name could officially open a full worm.
“Nobody seems to know who designs these channels,” says Dr Das Baskill, a lecturer in physics and astronomy at the University of Sussex.
He added: “There may also be some cultural sensitivity in bringing all Native Americans in one group.”
In fact, Native Americans are as diverse as Europeans in terms of language and culture. This means that different tribes have given very different names for what many call the ‘Worm Moon’ – everything from ‘moose hunter moon’, to ‘snow bark moon’ and even ‘The moon of the sore eye’.
Professor Bill Leatherbarrow, director of the Lunar Division of the British Astronomical Society, says: “The problem is that there seems to be some sort of name on the full Moon every month. , usually drawn from different cultures.
“It is related to each other, and there is no scientific philosophy or reasonable authority for establishing the names.”
How often do Full Moons occur?
A full Moon occurs approximately every 29.5 days, the length of one lunar cycle. This means it happens about once a month (our word for ‘month’ is rooted in the word ‘Moon’).
The next Full Moon, known to some as the ‘Pink Moon’, takes place on Tuesday 27 April 2021. It will be a platform, appearing 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter in the sky.
What is the best way to photograph the Moon Worm?
The good news: it can be very easy to take pictures of a full Moon. The bad news: it’s easy to get wrong too.
Same mistake: leaving your flash on. Turn it off and, if you are using a phone, reduce the ISO sensitivity of your camera and increase your focus to 100.
If you are still struggling, you can download one of the astronomy photo apps. NightCap – available on the App Store, £ 2.99 – is our top choice, making it to our list of the best astronomy apps.
On a digital camera, try an aperture of f / 11 to f / 16 and a combined distance between 1 / 60th and 1 / 125th of a second. Be warned: this slow speed means you have to keep the camera very stable or, to make life much easier, use a tripod.
Reader Q&A: Does the Moon look ‘upside down’ in the southern hemisphere?
By question: Millie Granger, London
In fact, the Moon looks ‘upside down’ in the southern hemisphere compared to the northern hemisphere. This is just a matter of guidance.
Imagine if the Moon was changing in the same plane as the equator. If you were in the northern hemisphere, the Moon would always appear in the southern sky because that is the direction of the equator. The reverse is true in the southern hemisphere: the Moon would appear in the northern skies.
So these two viewers are looking at the same thing from different directions and naturally that means one sees the object turned upside down compared to the other. This means that the ‘Man in the Moon’ is upside down in the southern hemisphere, and in fact can look more like a rabbit.
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