The next moon has numerous names including Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, Worm, or Death Moon. Southern Native American people called it the Worm Moon because earthworm casts that looked like the ground defrosted at this time of year.
The Next moon is the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon; the Lenten, Chaste, or Death Moon, the moon of Purim; the complete moon of Holi; Māgha Pūjā and Medin Poya; Mid-Sha ban; and the Pothole Moon.
The next complete moon will be Tuesday morning, March 7, 2023, appearing opposite the Sun in Earth-based longitude at 7:40 AM EST. This will be on Wednesday morning from Kamchatka and Fiji Time eastward to the International Date Line. The Moon will appear full for about three days around this time, from Sunday night through Wednesday morning (and potentially early Wednesday evening).
The Maine Farmers Almanac began publishing Native American names for full moons in the 1930s and these names are now extensively known and utilized. According to this almanac, as the full moon in March the tribes of the northeastern United States called this the Crow, Crust, Sap, Sugar, or Worm Moon. Other northern names were the Crust Moon, due to the fact that the snow cover ended up being crusted from defrosting by day and freezing by night, or the Sap (or Sugar) Moon as this was the time for tapping maple trees.
Other northern names were the Crust Moon, because the snow cover ended up being crusted from thawing by day and freezing by night, or the Sap (or Sugar) Moon as this was the time for tapping maple trees. Holi begins with a bonfire the evening prior to the day of the full moon, continues on the day of the complete moon with a free-for-all game involving the spraying of colored powders and/or colored water on whomever wanders by, and ends with night check outs with friends and household.
Many lunar and lunisolar calendars begin the months on the brand-new Moon with the full moon in the middle of the month. On the early morning of Tuesday, March 7, 2023 (the day of the complete moon), as morning twilight begins (at 5:35 AM EST), the setting complete moon will be 14 degrees above the western horizon. Regulus will be 6.5 degrees below the Moon as night twilight ends (at 8:30 PM EDT) and will be 6 degrees to the lower left as the Moon reaches its greatest in the sky for the night 2 hours later (at 10:26 PM).
A complete moon rises behind the ancient cliff residences at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. Credit: NPS
A European name for this full moon is the Lenten Moon, as this refers Lent, the traditional period of fasting that precedes Easter. Other names are the Chaste Moon or the Death Moon, related to the fasting of Lent and traditions from when the start of spring was the end of the old year and start of the brand-new.
This full moon corresponds with Purim, which is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar (or on the 15th in Jerusalem and ancient walled cities) in the Hebrew calendar. In 2023, Purim will be from sunset on Monday, March 6 to nightfall on Tuesday, March 7.
As the moon in the Hindu month Phalguna, this Moon refers the Holi celebration, celebrating the triumph of excellent over wicked and the start of spring. This two-day long celebration is likewise called the Festival of Love, Festival of Colors, or the Festival of Spring. Holi begins with a bonfire the night prior to the day of the moon, continues on the day of the moon with a free-for-all game involving the spraying of colored powders and/or colored water on whomever wanders by, and ends with evening sees with family and friends.
For some Buddhist areas this full moon corresponds with Māgha Pūjā (while other locations commemorated this with the full moon in February). On the day, Buddhists celebrate the creation of a perfect and excellent community, which is why it is in some cases called Saṅgha Day, Saṅgha referring to the Buddhist neighborhood.
Every complete moon is a vacation in Sri Lanka. This complete moon is Medin or Madin Poya, marking the Buddhas first see to his father after his enlightenment.
This moon is near the middle of Sha ban, the 8th lunar month in the Islamic lunar calendar and the month prior to Ramadan. Moslems commemorate the 15th day of Sha ban as Shab-e-Barat or Baraat Night. Shia Muslims also commemorate this as Mid-Sha restriction.
Many lunar and lunisolar calendars begin the months on the new Moon with the moon in the middle of the month. Lunisolar calendars often add or repeat a month to keep the lunar months lined up with the solar seasons. This full moon remains in the middle of the very first of 2 second months in the Chinese calendar.
Continuing the tradition of naming moons after popular phenomena tied to the time of year, a couple of years ago my buddy Tom Van Wagner suggested calling this the Pothole Moon. It may be a case of confirmation predisposition, however whether in my vehicle or on my bicycle Ive discovered more potholes lately.
As typical, the using of suitably celebratory celestial attire is motivated in honor of the moon. Consider exchanging presents of food and drink; contributing to charity; and watching out for crows, worms, potholes, and friends and neighbors wishing to spray you with bright colors.
As for other celestial occasions in between now and the moon after next (with particular times and angles based upon the area of NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC):.
On Tuesday, March 7, 2023 (the day of the full moon), morning golden will begin at 5:35 AM EST, sunrise will be at 6:32 AM, solar noon will be at 12:19:12 PM when the Sun will reach its optimum elevation of 45.95 degrees, sunset will be at 6:07 PM, and evening twilight will end at 7:04 PM. On the first day of Daylight Savings Time, Sunday, March 12, morning golden will begin at 6:27 AM EDT, dawn will be at 7:24 AM, sunset will be at 7:12 PM, and night golden will end at 8:09 PM. By Thursday, April 6 (the day of the complete moon after next), early morning twilight will begin at 5:46 AM, dawn will be at 6:45 AM, solar midday will be at 1:10:37 PM when the Sun will reach its maximum altitude of 57.67 degrees, sunset will be at 7:36 PM, and night golden will end at 8:36 PM.
Evening Sky Highlights.
On the evening of Tuesday, March 7, 2023 (the day of the full moon), as night golden ends (at 7:04 PM EST), the 2 brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, will dominate the western sky. The brightest will be Venus (as the evening star) at 19 degrees above the western horizon. Jupiter (second brightest) will be 6 degrees below Venus. The planet Mars (3rd brightest) will be close to overhead at 75 degrees above the south-southwestern horizon. The rising full moon will be 7 degrees above the eastern horizon. The bright star appearing closest to overhead will be Capella at 80 degrees above the northwestern horizon. Although we see Capella as a single star (the 6th brightest in our night sky), it is really four stars (two pairs of stars orbiting each other). Capella is 43 light-years from us. Also high in the sky will be the constellation Orion and the band of bright stars from the local arm of our house galaxy, including the brightest star in our night sky, Sirius, at 33 degrees above the south-southeastern horizon.
As this lunar cycle progresses, Jupiter, Mars, and the background of stars will appear to move westward each night (as the Earth walks around the Sun), while brilliant Venus will move gradually the other direction. Beginning March 29 the planet Mercury will begin appearing above the west-northwestern horizon as evening golden ends, joining Venus in moving greater each night. The waxing Moon will appear near Jupiter on March 22, Venus on March 23 and 24, the Pleiades star cluster on March 25, Mars on March 27 and 28, Pollux on March 29, and Regulus on April 1.
By the night of Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (the start of the night of the full moon after next), as night golden ends (at 8:34 PM EDT), the increasing complete moon will be 14 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. 3 of the 5 noticeable planets will be in the sky, with the brightest being Venus (as the night star) at 24 degrees above the western horizon, Mercury (second brightest) at 6 degrees above the west-northwestern horizon, and Mars (third brightest) at 62 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon. The brilliant star appearing closest to overhead will be Pollux (the better of the twin stars in the constellation Gemini) at 77 degrees above the southwestern horizon.
Early Morning Sky Highlights.
On the early morning of Tuesday, March 7, 2023 (the day of the complete moon), as morning twilight starts (at 5:35 AM EST), the setting full moon will be 14 degrees above the western horizon. The bright star closest to overhead will be Arcturus at 56 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon.
As this lunar cycle advances the background of stars will shift westward each morning. The waning Moon will appear near the brilliant star Spica on March 10 and Antares on March 14. March 19 will be the first morning the world Saturn will be above the horizon as twilight begins, with the subsiding crescent Moon appearing near Saturn.
By the morning of Thursday, April 6, 2023 (the day of the full moon after next), as morning twilight begins (at 5:46 AM EDT), the setting full moon will be 13 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon. The intense star closest to overhead will be Vega at 78 degrees above the eastern horizon.
In-depth Daily Guide.
Here for your recommendation is a day-by-day listing of celestial events in between now and the complete moon after next. The times and angles are based on the location of NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., so some of these information may vary for your area (I utilize parentheses to indicate particular times that may be different for you).
Wednesday evening, March 1, 2023, the two brightest worlds, Venus and Jupiter, will appear just one-half degree apart. They will be 17 degrees above the western horizon as evening golden ends (at 6:58 PM EST) and will approach 1.5 hours later on (at 8:31 PM).
Thursday evening into Friday morning, March 2 to 3, 2023, the brilliant star Pollux (the more vibrant of the twins in the constellation Gemini) will appear near the waxing gibbous Moon. The Moon will reach its greatest in the sky about 2 hours later on (at 9:11 PM) with Pollux above the Moon.
Friday afternoon, March 3, 2023, at 1:01 PM EST, the Moon will be at apogee, its farthest from the Earth for this orbit.
On Saturday, March 4, 2023, dont forget to “march forth!”.
Sunday night into Monday early morning, March 5 to 6, 2023, the bright star Regulus will appear to the lower right of the waxing gibbous Moon. The Moon will reach its greatest in the sky 4.5 hours later (at 11:30 PM) with Regulus 4 degrees listed below.
Monday early morning, March 6, 2023, will be the first early morning that the planet Saturn will appear above the east-southeastern horizon 30 minutes before daybreak (an approximation of the earliest it might start being visible in the glow of dawn). Saturn will increase (at 6:01 AM EST) about 32 minutes prior to sunrise (at 6:33 AM).
As pointed out above, the peak of the next moon will be on Tuesday early morning, March 7, 2023, at 7:40 AM EST. The Moon will appear full for about 3 days around this time, from Sunday night through Wednesday morning (and potentially early Wednesday evening).
On Thursday night into Friday early morning, March 9 to 10, 2023, the intense star Spica will appear near the waning gibbous Moon. When Spica rises above the east-southeastern horizon on Friday night (at 8:58 PM EST) it will be 6 degrees to the lower right of the Moon. The Moon will reach its greatest in the sky for the night a little bit more than 4 hours later Friday early morning (at 2:17 AM) with Spica 4 degrees to the lower left. The pair will be 3 degrees apart as early morning twilight starts (at 5:30 AM).
On Saturday, March 11, 2023, the last day of basic time, morning golden will begin at 5:28 AM EST, dawn will be at 6:26 AM, sundown will be at 6:11 PM, and evening twilight will end at 7:08 PM.
On Sunday morning, March 12, 2023, dont forget to “spring forward” as we switch to daylight savings time! If youre writing an unique and need something to take place at an unreal time, think about between 2:00 and 2:59 AM on March 12, 2023, as this wont exist for much of the U.S. On Sunday, early morning twilight will begin at 6:27 AM EDT, dawn will be at 7:24 AM, sunset will be at 7:12 PM, and night twilight will end at 8:09 PM.
On Tuesday early morning, March 14, 2023, the brilliant star Antares will appear near the subsiding half Moon. As the Moon increases above the southeastern horizon (at 1:56 AM EDT) Antares will be 3.5 degrees to the upper right. By the time early morning golden starts (at 6:24 AM) Antares will be 5 degrees to the right of the Moon.
Tuesday evening, March 14, 2023, the waning Moon will appear half-full as it reaches its last quarter at 10:08 PM EDT.
On Friday, March 17, 2023, the world Mercury will be passing on the far side of the Sun as seen from Earth, called superior conjunction. Mercury will be moving from the early morning sky to the evening sky and will begin emerging from the glow of the sunset on the western horizon in late March.
Sunday morning, March 19, 2023, you may have the ability to see the thin, waning crescent Moon near the planet Saturn. This will be the first morning that Saturn will be above the east-southeastern horizon as early morning twilight begins. Saturn will rise (at 6:14 AM EDT) simply a couple of minutes prior to early morning twilight starts. The thin, subsiding crescent Moon will increase about 9 minutes after Saturn (at 6:23 AM), appearing 6 degrees to the lower right.
Sunday early morning, March 19, 2023, at 11:13 AM EDT, the Moon will be at perigee, its closest to the Earth for this orbit.
Monday night, March 20, 2023, at 5:24 PM EDT, will be the vernal equinox, the huge end of winter season and start of spring.
Tuesday afternoon, March 21, 2023, at 1:23 PM EDT, will be the brand-new Moon, when the Moon passes in between the Earth and the Sun and will not show up from the Earth.
The day of or the day after the New Moon marks the start of the brand-new month for lots of lunar and lunisolar calendars. The 2nd 2nd month of the Chinese year of the Rabbit starts on March 22, 2023. Sundown on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, marks the start of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar.
In the Islamic calendar the months begin with the very first sighting of the waxing crescent Moon. Since of Ramadans spiritual significance, it is one of 4 months in the Islamic year where the start of the month is upgraded in the Umm al-Qura Calendar based upon the real sighting of the crescent Moon. This calendar forecasts the holy month of Ramadan will start with sundown on Wednesday evening, March 22, 2023, but the real start might be changed based on observations of the crescent Moon.
Wednesday night, March 22, 2023, you might be able to see the planet Jupiter 1.5 degrees to the lower right of the thin, waxing crescent Moon. As evening twilight ends (at 8:20 PM EDT) Jupiter will be 2 degrees and the Moon 3 degrees above the horizon.
Thursday night, March 23, 2023, the thin waxing crescent Moon will appear about 6 degrees listed below the intense planet Venus. As evening golden ends (at 8:21 PM EDT) the Moon will be at 16 degrees above the western horizon with Venus at 22 degrees. The Moon will set initially a half-hour later (at 9:52 PM). The pair will appear at their closest Friday early morning when they are visible from the opposite of our planet.
Friday evening, March 24, 2023, will be the first night that the world Mercury will appear above the western horizon 30 minutes after sunset (an approximation of the earliest it might begin being noticeable in the radiance of sunset). Mercury will set (at 8 PM EDT) about 36 minutes after sundown.
Friday evening, March 24, 2023, the waxing crescent Moon will have shifted to 6 degrees above the bright planet Venus. As evening twilight ends (at 8:22 PM EDT) Venus will be at 22 degrees above the western horizon with the Moon at 28 degrees. Venus will set first 2 hours later (at 10:22 PM).
Saturday evening, March 25, 2023, the Pleiades star cluster will appear about 2 degrees to the upper right of the waxing crescent Moon.
On Monday night into early Tuesday early morning, March 27 to 28, 2023, the world Mars will appear to the upper left of the waxing crescent Moon. Mars will be 7 degrees to the upper left as night twilight ends (at 8:25 PM EDT), with the Moon at 62 degrees above the west-southwestern horizon. They will move more detailed together as night advances and will be 4 degrees apart by the time the Moon sets on the northwestern horizon on Tuesday morning (at 2:16 AM). The pair will appear at their closest later in the early morning when they are noticeable from the opposite of our planet.
On Tuesday night into early Wednesday early morning, March 28 to 29, 2023, the half Moon will have shifted to the opposite of Mars. Mars will appear 6 degrees below the Moon as night golden ends (at 8:26 PM EDT). They will shift apart as the night progresses. The Moon will reach its first quarter at 10:32 PM. The pair will be almost 8 degrees apart by the time Mars sets on the northwestern horizon on Wednesday early morning (at 2:25 AM).
Wednesday evening, March 29, 2023, will be the first night that the planet Mercury will be above the west-northwestern horizon as night golden ends. Mercury signs up with Venus in shifting greater each night.
Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, March 29 to 30, 2023, the brilliant star Pollux (the better of the twin stars in the constellation Gemini) will appear near the waxing gibbous Moon. Pollux will be 5 degrees to the upper left of the Moon as evening twilight ends (at 8:27 PM EDT). Pollux will be less than 3 degrees above the Moon by the time of moonset on the northwestern horizon Thursday morning (at 3:55 AM).
Friday morning, March 31, 2023, at 7:18 AM EDT, the Moon will be at apogee, its farthest from the Earth for this orbit.
Saturday night into Sunday early morning, April 1 to 2, 2023, the brilliant star Regulus will appear near the waxing gibbous Moon. Regulus will be 6.5 degrees listed below the Moon as evening golden ends (at 8:30 PM EDT) and will be 6 degrees to the lower left as the Moon reaches its greatest in the sky for the night 2 hours later (at 10:26 PM). Regulus will be less than 4 degrees to the lower left of the Moon when Regulus sets listed below the west-northwestern horizon on Sunday morning (at 5:18 AM) about a half-hour before morning golden starts.
The moon after next will be quickly after midnight on Thursday early morning, April 6, 2023, at 12:35 AM EDT. The intense star Spica will be about 8 degrees to the lower. The Moon will appear full for three days around this time, from Tuesday night to Friday morning.
