Witness the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: A Celestial Event Lighting Up the Sky with the Glowing Worm Moon
Prepare to be captivated by a mesmerizing celestial performance taking place in the early hours of March 28, 2023. This extraordinary event will present itself as a penumbral lunar eclipse, with the enchanting full moon, affectionately known as the worm moon by the Farmers’ Almanac due to its proximity to the spring equinox, gracing our night sky.
The full moon will reach its peak illumination at 3 a.m. ET, setting the stage for this celestial spectacle. Approximately three hours earlier, at 12:53 a.m. ET, according to EarthSky, the moon will align almost perfectly with the sun and Earth, resulting in Earth’s outer shadow, called the penumbra, being cast upon the luminous orb.
The maximum eclipse will transpire at 3:12 a.m. ET, as the moon takes on a subtle, gradient-like darkening effect from one side to the other. “It’s not going to be a super dramatic change in what we see on the moon,” explains Dr. Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. “But if you’re sitting there observing it, you might notice slight variations in brightness.”
The captivating worm moon, named after the beetle larvae and other creatures that emerge from hibernation during spring, will be visible to people all around the world since it will appear full for a couple of nights. However, this penumbral eclipse can only be witnessed by those on the night side of Earth during the event, which includes Europe, North and East Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, and South America. The lunar eclipse is set to conclude at 5:33 a.m. ET, as per EarthSky’s calculations.
This penumbral eclipse precedes the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8, which will traverse Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The lunar and solar eclipses always come in pairs due to the alignment of the sun, Earth, and moon during this period, Schmoll explains. While the full moon undergoes a penumbral eclipse with Earth’s shadow partially covering it, the next new moon phase will create the conditions necessary for a solar eclipse.
The 35-day period during which this alignment occurs is referred to as an “eclipse season,” according to NASA. This period occurs near the equinoxes when the three celestial bodies align almost perfectly. A lunar eclipse does not occur monthly during each full moon due to the moon’s orbital plane being tilted by about 5 degrees, causing Earth’s shadow to miss the moon for most full moons.
While a penumbral eclipse is not as dramatic as a total lunar eclipse, where the moon takes on an eerie red appearance, no special equipment is required to view this celestial event. All you need is a clear view of the moon during the eclipse. As Schmoll puts it, “Eclipses are always an excellent excuse to go outside and appreciate the universe around us.”
In addition to this penumbral lunar eclipse, several other celestial events are scheduled for 2023. An annular solar eclipse will occur over parts of South America on October 2, where the moon does not completely block the sun, creating a stunning “ring of fire” in the sky. A partial lunar eclipse will also appear over Europe and much of Asia, Africa, North America, and South America on September 17-18.
Of the twelve full moons in 2023, the September and October lunar events will be considered supermoons due to their closer-than-normal proximity to Earth. The term “supermoon” can have varying definitions, but generally refers to a full moon that is significantly closer to Earth and thus appears larger and brighter in the night sky.
Skygazers can also anticipate numerous meteor showers throughout 2023, as per the American Meteor Society. Here are the dates when these meteor events are expected to peak:
• Lyrids: April 21-22
• Eta Aquariids: May 4-5
• Southern delta Aquariids: July 29-30
• Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
• Perseids: August 11-12
• Draconids: October 7-8
• Orionids: October 20-21
• Southern Taurids: November 4-5
• Northern Taurids: November 11-12
• Leonids: November 17-18
• Geminids: December 13-14
• Ursids: December 21-22
We invite you to mark your calendars and prepare for these stunning celestial events, allowing yourself the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring wonders of our universe.
