Residents of Sudbury can look up to the night sky on the early morning of March 3 to witness a spectacular lunar eclipse. The event, which coincides with the full Worm Moon, will see the moon gradually turn a darker orange as Earth’s shadow covers it—a safe and awe-inspiring celestial display.
The eclipse will be visible in its entirety from the Pacific and Mountain time zones, but viewers farther east will only see part of the event before the moon sets. In Sudbury (Eastern Standard Time), the eclipse is set to begin at 4:50 a.m., with mid-eclipse occurring at 6:33 a.m., and the moonset at 6:39 a.m.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon aligns precisely with Earth and the Sun, causing the moon to pass into Earth’s shadow. This event is perfectly safe to observe, unlike solar eclipses that require protective glasses. During the eclipse, the full Worm Moon will turn a striking darker orange, a phenomenon caused by sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere, creating a sunset-like effect in space.
Skywatchers are encouraged to take advantage of clear skies to enjoy the spectacle. During the eclipse, viewers can also catch sight of bright Jupiter high in the sky, setting around 4 a.m., along with other prominent winter constellations like Orion the Hunter. Modern cellphone apps can assist in identifying these celestial objects.
Looking ahead, the next solar eclipse with totality will occur on August 12, visible from Greenland and Spain, best experienced during ocean cruises. Additionally, North America will witness a partial lunar eclipse on the night of August 27 into the morning of August 28, when up to 96 percent of the moon will be immersed in Earth’s shadow.