How to See the Third and Last Super Moon (or Super Worm Moon) of 2019 in Hawai‘i

It also happens to be the first super moon to coincide with the spring equinox in 19 years.

April 18, 2019

Katie Kenny, Photos by David Croxford,

Update: Scroll down for details on how to view the “Full Pink Moon” on Friday, April 19!

A super moon seen on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014.

Photo: Courtesy of NASA / Bill Ingalls

It’s time for another super moon, Hawai‘i! The third and final one of the year will take place hours after the spring equinox (Wednesday, March 20), a rare and quite special combination that won’t happen again until 2030. Scroll down for a handful of quick-and-easy facts about the March 20-21 full moon, which is also called a “Super Worm Equinox Moon.”

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Why does it sound like something out of the Harry Potter series?

According to moongiant.com, Southern Native American tribes made the connection to worms due to the ground thawing out in time for spring—the moment little earthworms make their first appearance of the year. Therefore, the first full moon of the season is always nicknamed “worm moon.” And this being a super moon (as in closer than normal to the Earth) and the spring, or vernal, equinox gives us the exceptionally fun name. That being said, astronomers will still refer to this as a “full moon.”

When will the “Super Worm Equinox Moon” be at its fullest?

Here in Hawai‘i it will be bright and full at 3:42 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, just four hours after the spring equinox.

What’s with all the super moons?

It’s the year’s third (and final) of three straight full super moons on Jan. 21 and Feb. 19. Apparently they always appear close together and in twos or threes. The first was a “Super Wolf Blood Moon” as well as a total lunar eclipse (during which it appeared red) and the second, the biggest and brightest, was the “Super Snow Moon.” The term “super moon” refers to the point when the moon is closest to the Earth during its monthly orbit, while a “micro moon” is when it is at its furthest. There will be a super moon moment every month, yet it rarely coincides with a full moon.

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What are the dates for the next full moons in spring?

Full Pink Moon – Friday, April 19
(For the best view, look up at 1:12 a.m.)
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this moon gets it’s name from the pretty pink flowers and moss that pop up during spring. It is also known as Paschal Full Moon, the full moon that determines Easter’s date.
Full Flower Moon – Saturday, May 18
Blue Strawberry Moon (sounds like a cocktail waiting to be concocted) – Monday, June 17

Is there another reason to celebrate the moon this year?

Why yes there is! This July 20 will mark 50 years since Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins successfully landed Apollo 11 (and then safely returned home) on the moon.