This Super Worm Moon is The Biggest, Brightest So Far

Sunday night's Super Worm Moon is be the biggest and brightest moon of the year so far due to its proximity to earth - but you'll need to get a wriggle on if you want to see it.

Worm Moon is the common name for March's full moon because at the time it appears the ground begins to soften and worms appear, bringing robins and other birds for the start of spring.

The moon was 100 per cent full and at its brightest and biggest at 7.48pm BST last night. 

Due to cloudy forecasts tonight some viewers missed the spectacle in all of its glory, however tonight is expected to bring clearer skies in the south and the moon will still be 99 per cent full.

In addition to the Worm Moon tonight's moon is also considered by some to be a supermoon.

A supermoon occurs when the full moon nearly coincides with perigee – the point in the orbit of the moon at which it is nearest to the Earth.

There will be two additional supermoons this season – April 27, a 'Pink Moon' , and the 'Flower Moon' on May 26.         

Neil Norman, an astronomer from Hadleigh, Suffolk, said 'The name Worm Moon is taken from the North American Indian naming of the moons.

'This one refers to the first full moon of spring and the thawing of the ground, and hence the worms beginning to surface again.

'In southern Britain, at 19.48pm on March 28 the moon will be exactly full. 

'It is the first Super Moon of the year meaning that it is at full phase at its closest approach to Earth.

'Very little difference in apparent size will be seen visually, but some photographers may like to image it and then use the same settings for the next normal full moon to make a comparison perhaps.'

He said to see the moon clearly it's best to find a space away from light pollution, which is common in towns and cities.

And seek out a hilltop - the higher up you are, the easier it is to see the heavens clearly.

This article has been adapted from its original source.