Full moon, whole lunar eclipse coming in March. See them in Florida

The subsequent full moon can be memorable: it arrives similtaneously a total lunar eclipse.

As the Earth’s shadow passes throughout the moon, the moon will seem purple or orange. That’s why it is generally known as a blood moon.

Also taking place in March can be a planetary parade, a conjunction and even an important view of the Milky Way.

Although you may’t “see” it, March additionally brings the spring equinox.

Here’s when to look as much as admire the March full moon and the way a lot of the full lunar eclipse Florida residents might see. No particular glasses are wanted.

When is the subsequent full moon?

The subsequent full moon can be Tuesday, March 3 at 6:38 a.m. ET.

It’s referred to as the worm moon.

Will clouds stop you from seeing full moon March 3?

Early forecasts are predicting fairly good visibility throughout most of Florida on March 3.

You’ll have to attend for subsequent supermoon

The first full moon of 2026, on Jan. 3, was the primary of three supermoons of the yr. You’ll have to attend for the subsequent two:

What is a supermoon?

 A supermoon is a full moon that happens when the moon is close to perigee, or the closest level to Earth in its orbit, which it reached Jan. 1, in accordance with astronomy.com.

“At its closest point, the full moon can appear up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the faintest moon of the year, which occurs when it’s farthest from Earth in its orbit,” NASA mentioned.

When are full moons in 2026?

Here’s when to count on the remaining full moons this yr:

• Tuesday, March 3: 6:38 a.m., referred to as the Worm Moon
• Wednesday, April 1: 10:12 p.m., referred to as the Pink Moon
• Friday, May 1: 1:23 p.m., referred to as the Flower Moon
• Sunday, May 31: 4:45 a.m., referred to as the Blue Moon
• Monday, June 29: 7:57 p.m., referred to as the Strawberry Moon
• Wednesday, July 29: 10:36 a.m., referred to as the Buck Moon
• Friday, Aug. 28: 12:19 a.m., referred to as the Sturgeon Moon
• Saturday, Sept. 26: 12:49 p.m., referred to as the Corn Moon
• Monday, Oct. 26: 12:12 a.m., referred to as the Hunter’s Moon
• Tuesday, Nov. 24: 9:54 a.m., referred to as the Beaver Moon
• Wednesday , Dec. 23: 8:28 p.m., referred to as the Cold Moon

Why is the March full moon known as the worm moon?

Moon names come from Native American, colonial American, or different conventional North American sources handed down by means of generations, in accordance with the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

“For a few years, it was believed this title referred to earthworms showing because the soil warms in early spring —drawing birds corresponding to robins and signaling the altering season.

“However, historic analysis suggests one other clarification. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver recorded that the name referred to beetle larvae — one other sort of ‘worm’ — which emerge from thawing tree bark and winter hiding locations presently of yr.”

Why are there 13 full moons in 2026?

There will be 13 full moons in 2026, with two occurring in May: May 1 and May 31.

“Most years have 12 full moons. About each 33 months, nonetheless, there are 13 full moons in a single calendar yr,” in accordance with the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

“This occurs as a result of 12 lunar cycles whole about 354 days, whereas our trendy Gregorian calendar (a photo voltaic calendar) is about 365.25 days lengthy. That roughly 11-day distinction provides up over time, leading to an additional full moon.”

The second full moon falling throughout the similar month is called a blue moon.

What is a blue moon?

A blue moon is the second full moon in a single calendar month, in accordance with space.com. 

What else are you able to see in evening sky in March?

Here’s a take a look at what you can see in March:

• March 1: A planetary parade of six planets.
  • Look west just after sunset to spot Mercury, Venus, and Saturn glowing low along the horizon. Jupiter will simultaneously hang high in the southeast sky. While Neptune and Uranus are above the horizon, you’ll need strong binoculars or a telescope to view them.
• March 3: Full moon
• March 3: Total lunar eclipse
  • Occurring the same time as the full moon, totality for the “blood moon” will occur at 6:33 a.m. The moon can be low on the horizon and dawn can be minutes later in Florida, however residents will see the Earth’s shadow starting to maneuver throughout the moon at 3:44 a.m. ET.
• March 7-8: Venus-Saturn conjunction
  • Venus and Saturn will approach each other, getting close enough to spot through a pair of binoculars, on the evenings of March 7 and 8. Look just above the western horizon; they’ll be visible for about 45 minutes after sunset, according to National Geographic.
• March 20: Crescent moon and Venus
  • See the young moon close to Venus about 45 minutes after sunset on March 20, when a 5%-lit waxing crescent moon will hang above Venus. Find an unobstructed western horizon for the best view, according to space.com.
• March 26-27: Jupiter-moon meetup
  • Jupiter and the moon can be shut within the southwest sky on the nights of March 26 and 27. Look for them from sunset till the pre-dawn hours, in accordance with National Geographic.
• March: Milky Way
  • “The Milky Way’s vivid, dynamic core is more and more seen within the pre-dawn hours this month. The galactic heart rises within the southeast, then seems in an arc above the south horizon earlier than dawn.”

Total lunar eclipse coming March 3

The first and only total lunar eclipse in 2026 will happen March 3.

Western and central regions of the U.S. will enjoy the best views of the total lunar eclipse.

➤ 2026 total lunar eclipse schedule. Best time to see in Florida, city by city

In Florida, residents will be able to see the start of the eclipse at 3:44 a.m. ET, but totality will come at 6:33 a.m. when the moon is low on the horizon and close to sunrise at 6:43 a.m.

Will we be able to see any of the total lunar eclipse in Florida?

While most Florida residents wont be able to see the Earth’s shadow totally cover the moon, the lunar eclipse will begin at 3:44 a.m. ET March 3.

➤ Will total lunar eclipse be visible in Florida? Where to look

At that time, you’ll be able to see the Earth’s shadow start to move across the face of the moon.

Look low on the horizon to the west and slightly to the south.

Totality will happen at 6:33 a.m. March 3, which unfortunately occurs right before sunrise.

Could Florida see a ‘moonbow’?

“If situations are excellent and there’s a little bit of mist or rain within the air, you might even spot a uncommon phenomenon known as a moonbow,” in accordance with the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Also referred to as a lunar rainbow, a moonbow is a rainbow created by moonlight as an alternative of daylight. Moonbows are almost certainly when the total moon is low within the sky.

Conditions necessary for moonbow to happen, in accordance with darksky.org:

• There must be a full or nearly full moon.
• There must be a mostly clear sky with very few or no clouds between the observer and the water drops.
• There must be a very dark sky, with no artificial light. Light pollution in the form of skyglow overwhelms the faint light of moonbows.

Why is a total lunar eclipse called a ‘blood moon’?

“During a complete lunar eclipse, the Moon seems darkish purple or orange. This is as a result of our planet blocks a lot of the Sun’s mild from reaching the Moon, and the sunshine that does attain the lunar floor is filtered by means of a thick slice of Earth’s ambiance. It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon. 

When is spring?

March 20 is the spring, or vernal equinox, marking the primary day of astronomical spring within the Northern Hemisphere.

To be exact, it occurs at 10:46 a.m. EDT.

What is the spring equinox?

“On the March equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere obtain roughly equal quantities of daylight; neither hemisphere is tilted extra towards or away from the solar than the different,” in accordance with the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

After the spring equinox on March 20, many locations will expertise extra daylight than darkness.

Daylight hours will proceed to extend till the summer season solstice on June 21.

Trivia:  Equinoxes are the one two instances of yr when the sun rises due east and sets due west for all of us on Earth. 

Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect group. You can get all of Florida’s finest content material straight in your inbox every weekday day by signing up for the free publication, Florida TODAY, at https://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.