March is a tricky month; it seems like spring is almost here, with a few deceptively warm days, but we all know it also brings some of winter’s harshest weather.
So, let’s forget about the fickle temperatures and count on something a little bit more reliable (clouds aside): the night sky.
March 3 brings the Full Worm Moon, which coincides with a total lunar eclipse. Those of us in Northeast Ohio should (skies permitting) get a great view. Historically, the Full Worm Moon is so named because, as spring approaches, worms begin to crawl out of their winter homes to the soil’s surface.
The eclipse, with the Earth’s shadow blocking the moon, begins at 6:04 a.m. and reaches its maximum at 6:33 a.m. The moon should appear red when it begins to set at 7 a.m.
Several local venues are hosting events to mark the eclipse and other March celestial happenings.
- Observatory Park in Montville Township (Geauga County) is hosting a Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing on March 3 from 4:30 am to 6:30 am.
- The Cuyahoga Astronomical Association will hold a dusk-to-dawn viewing session at Letha House Lodge in Chatham Township (Medina County) on March 21-22.
- The Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village will present a 30-minute tour of the night sky from 1-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 7.
