What is a “Micro Death Moon” and why is it happening this weekend? Rising during dusk this Sunday, March’s full moon—the first after this week’s equinox—will move into Earth’s shadow during the night and, early on Monday morning, be eclipsed.
It’s important because it will put the moon on course to cause a dramatic total solar eclipse visible in parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada on Monday, April 8.
According to Timeanddate, it’s a “Micro Death Moon” eclipse. Here’s why:
It’s A ‘Micro Moon’
The moon’s orbit of Earth is slightly elliptical. So in any given month, there’s a date when it’s closest to Earth (perigee) and farthest (apogee). It’s only when one of these two points coincides with a full moon—when the sun, Earth and moon are aligned—that we tend to notice or comment on it. A perigee full moon is better known as a “supermoon,” which looks slightly bigger than average. An apogee full moon is sometimes referred to as a “micro” moon, which looks slightly smaller than average. Neither are astronomical terms.
March’s full moon is the last of three “micro” moons in 2024—the others were the “Wolf Moon” in January and the “Snow Moon” in February—though it actually reaches apogee a couple of days before the full moon phase.
It’s A ‘Death Moon’
Full moons have a lot of traditional names. The most popular name for the full moon in March is the “Worm Moon,” but there are plenty of others. Timeanddate points out that the full moon this month is also called the “Death Moon” in Old English, though it’s also called the Crow Moon, Snow Crust Moon, Sugar Moon, Chaste Moon, Wind Moon and Plough Moon.
When To See The Lunar Eclipse
From North America, the “Death Moon”” will move into Earth’s penumbra—the fuzzy outer shadow—from 03:12 and 05:32 a.m. EDT on Monday, March 25. As it does, it will lose its brightness, though arguably a more interesting sight is the edge of Earth’s shadow moving across the lunar surface.
That will be visible from North and South America, Europe, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Supermoons: 2024 Dates
A “micro” moon isn’t something to get excited about. Arguably, neither is a “supermoon,” though if you watch one just as it appears above the eastern horizon, it’s a special sight. This year, there will be three “supermoons” in a row:
- September 18: “Harvest Supermoon Eclipse” (also a partial lunar eclipse).
- October 17: “Hunter’s Supermoon.”
- November 15: “Beaver Supermoon.”
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.