Worm Moon March 3, 2026
When the Worm Moon peaks, how far away and how bright it is, and how good the view will be.
Rendering: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
- Full moon
- March 3, 2026
- Illumination
- 100%
- Distance
- 382,672 km
- Apparent size
- average
A premier night to look up, sky permitting.
- 100% illuminated
- total lunar eclipse (Blood Moon)
About the Worm Moon
The Worm Moon reaches full phase on March 3, 2026. It is the full moon of March, named for earthworm casts as the ground thaws.
Full moon is the point in the roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle when the Moon sits opposite the Sun in the sky, so its Earth-facing side is fully lit. It rises around sunset, climbs highest near midnight, and sets near sunrise — visible all night, weather permitting.
How to see the Worm Moon
The Worm Moon sits about 383,025 km from Earth, close to the average Earth–Moon distance, so it appears a typical size in the sky.
For the best view, find the eastern horizon shortly after sunset on March 3, 2026; the Moon looks largest and most colorful when it is low, an illusion created by foreground landmarks. No equipment is needed, though binoculars sharpen the craters along the day–night line on the nights just before and after.
The total lunar eclipse
The Worm Moon of March 3, 2026 is a total lunar eclipse — a Blood Moon. The entire lunar disc passes through Earth's dark inner shadow, the umbra, and turns a deep coppery red as the only sunlight reaching it is bent through Earth's atmosphere — the combined light of every sunrise and sunset on the planet.
Greatest eclipse falls on 2026-03-03 (UTC); it is visible from the Americas, the Pacific, East Asia and Australia. A lunar eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye — no filters needed — and can only happen at full moon, when the Sun, Earth and Moon line up closely enough for Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon.
Frequently asked
- When is the Worm Moon in 2026?
- The Worm Moon reaches full phase on March 3, 2026. It rises around sunset that evening and is visible through the night.
- Why is it called the Worm Moon?
- The name comes from traditional North American almanac usage: it is named for earthworm casts as the ground thaws. The names were a way to track the seasons by the monthly full moon.
- Is there an eclipse during the Worm Moon?
- Yes — a total lunar eclipse (a Blood Moon) on 2026-03-03 (UTC), visible from the Americas, the Pacific, East Asia and Australia. The whole disc reddens as it crosses Earth's shadow. It is safe to watch with the naked eye.
- What is a full moon, exactly?
- A full moon is the moment the Moon sits opposite the Sun, so the entire Earth-facing side is sunlit. It happens once per roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle and looks full to the eye for about a night on either side.
Every full moon in 2026
- Wolf MoonJanuary 3
- Snow MoonFebruary 1
- Pink MoonApril 2
- Flower MoonMay 1
- Blue MoonMay 31
- Strawberry MoonJune 29
- Buck MoonJuly 29
- Sturgeon MoonAugust 28
- Corn MoonSeptember 26
- Hunter's MoonOctober 26
- Beaver MoonNovember 24
- Cold MoonDecember 24
See the full 2026 full moon calendar, or the sunset & twilight times for golden-hour planning.