El Paso Photographer Captures The Last Full Moon of Winter, “Worm Moon”

Dear Winter, It’s been real, it’s been fun, it’s been really fun but we are ready for Spring! 

The official start of Spring is this Sunday, March 20th, and those who were up bright and early this morning (or those who were heading home after a fun St. Patrick’s Day celebration) may have witnessed the March full moon, known as the Worm Moon.

If you missed the Worm moon no worries. El Paso photographer Miguel Vigil made sure to head out just in time to grab some amazing photos of the moon in all of its glory.

The Worm Moon is the last full moon of the Winter season. Its peak happened at 3:18 am Friday morning and it is expected to appear full through Saturday morning.

This moon will appear larger to those who look up in the sky to witness its beauty because of the "moon illusion," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. This occurs when the moon is near the horizon and our eyes compare the moon's size to trees, buildings, or other earthly objects. By comparing these reference points to the moon, our brain tricks us into thinking the moon is bigger.

How did the March Full Moon get the name “Worm Moon?”

According to NASA, Southern Native American tribes named the worm moon after the earthworm casts that emerged as the ground thawed at winter's end. 

Another account in the Old Farmer's Almanac says that the name refers to beetle larvae that would come out of winter hideouts as spring arrived. 

More Full Moons Ahead:

If you missed the past few full moons of the year no worries, there are nine full moons left in 2022, with two of them qualifying as supermoons. 

• April 16: Pink moon
• May 16: Flower moon
• June 14: Strawberry moon
• July 13: Buck moon
• August 11: Sturgeon moon
• September 10: Harvest moon
• October 9: Hunter's moon
• November 8: Beaver moon
• December 7: Cold moon

In Case You Missed February's Moon:

Last month, Photographer Miguel Vigil was able to capture the beauty of the February moon right by Mt. Cristo Rey and honestly.... Someone gives this guy a medal for waking up bright and early and capturing such beauty!