What Is Worm Moon? Sky Phenomenon On March 7

Exactly this March 7, the Full Moon will adorn the sky which is nicknamed the Worm Moon. (Photo Illustration : NASA)

JAKARTA - Exactly this March 7, the Full Moon will decorate the sky which is nicknamed the Worm Moon. This phenomenon actually appeared from Sunday night to Wednesday morning, and possibly earlier Wednesday night.

In western countries, usually, the Full Moon has a name that is quite unique. The name Full Moon itself originated with Native Americans in North America in the 1930s and these names are now widely known and used.

The tribes there often keep track of the seasons by giving different names to each of the phenomena that recur. The name Full Moon is applied to the entire month in which the phenomenon occurs.

There are several variations of the Full Moon name, but in general, the same name is consistent among regional tribes.

European settlers followed the custom and coined several names of their own. For example, the Full Harvest Moon or Full Corn Moon is associated with Native Americans because it marked when corn should be harvested.

This phenomenon occurs most often in September but in some years occurs in October. At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work late into the night under the light of this Moon.

Then Strawberry Full Moon, this name is universal for every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe, they call it Rose Moon. This phenomenon occurs frequently because of the relatively short strawberry harvest season that occurs each year during June.

Then later tonight, the Worm Moon which is believed to be present when the temperature starts to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworms will appear, signaling the return of the robin.

The more southern tribes called this the Moon Worm. It makes sense that only the southern tribes would call this the Moon Worm. Because, when the glaciers covered the northern part of North America, they wiped out the native earthworms.

After these glaciers melted about 12,000 years ago, more northern forests grew again without the earthworms. Most earthworms in this area are invasive species introduced from Europe and Asia.

However, more northern tribes know this Moon as the Full Crust Moon, which signifies the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon, as the snow cover becomes crusty from melting during the day and freezes at night.

According to the Farmers Almanac, quoted by CNN International, the Worm Moon has been visible since Monday, March 6 but it will reach its peak of illumination today and is in the constellation Virgo.

The Worm Moon will be accompanied by the Planets Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. Venus and Jupiter have just completed their closest approach in a decade, but are still within striking distance of one another in the night sky.

Jupiter will be in the west with the brighter Venus above it, while Mars will glow red-orange in the southwest.