Lunar eclipse, start of spring & more in store for Boise. Here’s when to look up
A total lunar eclipse kicks off the month of March, with more astronomical events on the horizon.
The full moon will appear painted red.
“March’s full moon has long marked a turning point in the seasonal calendar, when winter begins to loosen its grip and signs of spring slowly return,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
Here’s what to know:
When is the best time to see March full moon?
The third full moon of 2026 will reach peak illumination in Boise at 4:37 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, according to online calendar Time and Date.
Why is March’s full moon called the worm moon?
The March full moon is known as the worm moon due to the earthworms or worm-like beetle larvae that emerge at this time of year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Other names for March’s full moon similarly “reflect the transition from winter to spring,” the almanac said.
They include the sugar moon, wind strong moon, goose moon and crow comes back moon.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
March’s moon cycle includes a total lunar eclipse, a phenomenon that only occurs during the full moon.
“Lunar eclipses occur when Earth is positioned precisely between the moon and sun — shading the moon in Earth’s shadow,” NASA said.
Even though the moon is shrouded entirely in a shadow, the sun’s light is still able to reflect onto its surface.
“The exact shade (of that light) can vary from one eclipse to another, depending on conditions in Earth’s atmosphere, such as dust, smoke or volcanic ash,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
When will lunar eclipse be visible in Boise?
Want to see the lunar eclipse? You’ll need to wake up early.
Boise will have a partial view of the total lunar eclipse beginning around 2:50 a.m. according to Time and Date.
A full view of the blood moon will begin at 4:04 a.m., with partial views lasting until about 6:17 a.m., Time and Date said. The moon will set at 7:22 a.m.
You don’t need any special equipment to view the lunar eclipse, NASA said, although binoculars or a telescope can “enhance your view.”
Why do we call it a blood moon?
“During a total lunar eclipse, the moon appears dark red or orange,” NASA said, earning it the nickname “blood moon.”
“This is because our planet blocks most of the sun’s light from reaching the Moon, and the light that does reach the lunar surface is filtered through a thick slice of Earth’s atmosphere,” the space agency explained. “It’s as if all of the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the moon.”
Blood moons have special significance in many different cultures and religions, including Christianity.
“Christian texts mention that the moon turned to blood after Jesus’s crucifixion – potentially referring to a lunar eclipse, during which the moon takes on a reddish hue,” NASA said.
The ancient Incans believed that “lunar eclipses were caused by an animals or serpent” attacking the moon goddess, Mama Quilla, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. “Their custom was to try to scare away eclipses by making as much noise as possible.”
For generations, eclipses have been surrounded by apocalyptic prophecies, which found a resurgence when there were four successive total lunar eclipses from 2014 to 2015, according to astronomy website EarthSky.
Total lunar eclipses make an appearance in many movies and TV shows as visual shorthand for dark magic and supernatural creatures.
When does daylight saving time start in 2026?
Daylight saving time starts across most of the United States on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday in November, according to Time and Date.
Prepare to set your clocks and watches forward one hour on Sunday, March 8.
When is the new moon in March?
The new moon follows approximately two weeks after the full moon, on Wednesday, March 18, acording to Time and Date.
During this phase of the moon cycle, the moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, shading it from view.
“This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere,” astronomy website Sea and Sky said.
When is first day of spring in 2026?
In 2026, the vernal equinox falls on Friday, Mar. 20.
The equinox marks the first day of spring and a transition of more daytime sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
During the March equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere receive roughly the same amount of sunlight since neither hemisphere is tilted more toward or away from the sun, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
This story was originally published March 1, 2026 at 4:00 AM.
