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A full moon catches the worm!
Easter news from Explore-At-Bristol
Friday 21 March – Monday 24 March 2008
Did you know that March’s full moon is called the ‘Worm
Moon’? This year it falls on Good Friday, 21 March, and Explore-At-Bristol
is inviting budding scientists across the country to see whether earthworm
casts really do appear at the time of March’s Full Moon to signal the end
of Winter.
Ian Tsang, Explore’s learning officer, explains: ‘The full Moon of every
month is known by a different name in folklore, and most of these are
based on observing nature. In March, as Spring approaches, the sun thaws
the ground and it is more likely that earthworms will appear – but this is
unlikely to be caused directly by the moon.’
Katy McDonald, Explore’s astronomy expert adds ‘Many people don’t realise
that the date of Easter is actually set by the Full Moon. Easter always
takes place on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the
Spring Equinox. This year, the Worm Moon is on 21 March so Easter is very
early – it won’t be this early again until the year 2160!’
Katy goes on to say: ‘There are many myths surrounding the Moon – most of
them with no scientific basis – but a visit to the new Spring Night Sky
Planetarium show in Explore-At-Bristol will shed some light (even if it is
only reflected!) on moons – not just Earth’s but on some of the other
strange and beautiful satellites in the Solar System.
The public can help prove or disprove this theory by emailing
education@at-bristol.org.uk or sending Explore a photo of any earthworm
casts they spot during the Full Moon weekend. The experiment begins on
Good Friday.
Explore is open throughout Easter and the school holidays from 10am to 5pm
and a visit to the Planetarium is free with an admission ticket.
For press enquiries:
Sonja Taylor-Jones
07956 503 478 /
press@at-bristol.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
At-Bristol is a leading science centre in the UK and a
major player in the worldwide science centre movement. It aims to be a
world-class science centre that makes distinctive, valued and recognised
contributions to informal science learning and public engagement with
science across Europe. A registered charity, At-Bristol has hosted more
than three million visits and continually strives towards making science
accessible to all.
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