A lot of people take our moon for granted. You might think nothing of it at all, and yet this incredible satellite gives us our tides, lights our way at night, and in general is simply beautiful to gaze at. All you need is a clear sky and the correct alignment, and suddenly the moon is just as enchanting to modern eyes as it was to the ancients.
For a real lunar marvel, have a look at this teeny-tiny Hunter's Moon rising:So if you enjoy staring at the moon and want to see it in all its glory, then I have some good news for you: the beautiful March supermoon (aka the 'Worm Moon') is set to rise this coming week, peaking this on Monday evening.
The moon will peak at exactly at 1.48 pm, EDT, on Monday night, and will also appear full from Sunday through Tuesday night, visible to skywatchers in clear weather, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Per the Almanac, the Worm Moon is got its name due to the worm casts (a type of fertilizer produced by earthworms in the dirt) that appear in the soil as the ground thaws after winter.
The Almanac states: "At this time of the year, the ground begins to soften enough for earthworm casts to reappear, inviting robins and other birds to feed - a true sign of spring."
The March supermoon occurs due to the moon's close proximity to the planet Earth during its orbit. When full at this time of year, our moon's closeness to the surface of the Earth makes it appear gigantic and super bright; around 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than a full moon at its furthest point. This means that come Monday night, the moon will only be around 222,081 miles away from Earth. Pretty amazing, huh?
