The first total lunar eclipse blood moon since 2022 will be visible from Kentucky soon
Kentucky stargazers can catch a glimpse of a full “worm” moon this March, in addition to a total lunar eclipse, or “blood” moon.
The worm moon gets its name from the earthworms that spring to life and enrich the soil as the end of winter approaches, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. It’s also sometimes referred to as the “wind” moon.
Full moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.
This month’s full moon will also bring a total lunar eclipse. A total lunar eclipse is also known as a blood moon because it makes the moon look red, and it happens when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow. It will be the first total lunar eclipse since 2022, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
“It first appears to have a bite taken out of one side, but as maximum eclipse nears, the Moon transforms into a deep crimson orb. That red color comes from the ring of all the sunsets and sunrises you’d see encircling our planet if you were an astronaut on the lunar surface right then. Afterward, the eclipse plays out in reverse, with the red color fading, and the dark bite shrinking, until the Moon looks like its usual self again,” NASA’s website says.
The full moon will peak at 2:55 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time Friday, March 14. That’s after daylight saving time begins, at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9.
The full portion of the lunar eclipse will begin at 2:36 a.m. March 14, the maximum will be at 2:58 a.m. and the full portion will end at 3:31 a.m., according to astronomy publication Space.com.
The sun will set at 7:43 p.m. Thursday, March 13 and rise at 7:49 a.m. the next morning in Lexington, according to online clock Time and Date.
Full moons in 2025
After the worm moon, stargazers will have 10 more opportunities to see a full moon this year. Here’s when to look, from Astronomy.com:
Saturday, April 12: Pink moon
Monday, May 12: Flower moon
Wednesday, June 11: Strawberry moon
Thursday, July 10: Buck moon
Saturday, Aug. 9: Sturgeon moon
Sunday, Sept. 7: Corn moon
Monday, Oct. 6: Hunter’s moon (supermoon)
Wednesday, Nov. 5: Beaver moon (supermoon)
Thursday, Dec. 4: Cold moon (supermoon)
For those interested in stargazing as a group, the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club will host a stargazing event at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary Saturday, March 29, weather-permitting, and another at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Saturday, April 19.
Do you have a question about the weather or the environment in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Email ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form below.
