First full Moon of spring rises in UK skies this week

The first full Moon of the season has arrived just as meteorological spring has sprung on 3 March.

Known as the Worm Moon, it is the third full Moon of 2026.

Lucky sky watchers in parts of the Americas, Asia, and Australia will see it coincide with a rare total lunar eclipse which could see the Moon turn red (at about 11:33 GMT).

The moment of its maximum fullness will be missed across the UK as the Moon will already be below the horizon but it will appear as-full overnight on Monday and Tuesday.

The Worm Moon will look at its most impressive when closest to the horizon at moonrise. You'll need to look to the east at around these times:

17:42 in London

17:44 in Edinburgh

17:48 in Cardiff

17:50 in Belfast

For some parts of the world, the full Moon will be visible as it undergoes a total lunar eclipse, becoming what is known as a Blood Moon.

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves directly between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow onto the Moon's surface. During this, the Moon can turn a rusty red colour, which is where it gets it nickname, the Blood Moon.

Those most likely to see the phenomenon include observers in parts of North America, South America, East Asia, and Australia.

The full eclipse starts at 11.04 GMT and concludes at 12:02 GMT. It's estimated that almost a third of the world's population will see the total phase.

Full Moons have names that date back to ancient traditions before modern calendars were used.

They were helpful ways to mark the changing seasons and the names tended to relate to significant timely events.

The March full Moon is known as the Worm Moon as it refers to when earthworms begin to emerge from the soil as the weather warms in springtime.

Tuesday night is forecast to have clear skies for many areas - perfect sky gazing weather.

Don't forget you can keep up-to-date with the weather forecast where you are at BBC Weather online and on the app.

If the weather is not on your side this time, the next full Moon will rise on 1 April with the Pink Moon, followed by the Flower Moon on 1 May.

May will also feature a second full Moon on May 31, known as a Blue Moon. The Blue Moon is so-called because having two full Moons in a single month only happens once every few years, giving rise to the expression "once in a blue Moon."