Skywatchers across the globe are anticipating the upcoming total lunar eclipse set to occur overnight between March 13 and March 14, 2025. This celestial event, often referred to as a Blood Moon, will mark the first total lunar eclipse visible from North America since November 2022, according to Space.com.
Observers in North and South America, as well as parts of Greenland, will have viewing opportunities for the astronomical phenomenon. The total lunar eclipse is expected to be visible without the need for any special equipment or protective gear, making it accessible to both amateur and seasoned astronomers.
The totality phase of the eclipse, when the Moon is completely immersed in Earth's shadow, will last approximately 65 minutes. According to Forbes, totality will occur between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on March 14. The eclipse process will begin earlier, with the Moon entering Earth's penumbral shadow at 11:57 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on March 13.
Totality will occur at different local times across North America. In Central Daylight Time (CDT), observers can witness totality from 1:26 a.m. to 2:31 a.m., while those in Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) will experience it between 12:26 a.m. and 1:31 a.m., as reported by Forbes. In Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), totality will be from 11:26 p.m. on March 13 to 12:31 a.m. on March 14.
During totality, the Moon will take on a reddish-orange hue, commonly known as a Blood Moon. This effect occurs due to Rayleigh scattering, a phenomenon where Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and violet, while longer wavelengths like red and orange pass through and are refracted onto the Moon's surface. As a result, the Moon appears red to observers on Earth.
The March full moon, known as the Worm Moon, will turn full at 2:56 a.m. EST on March 14, just moments before the eclipse reaches its peak. The Worm Moon is the third and final full moon of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, according to Forbes.
For those wishing to observe the eclipse, the key is finding a dark location away from city lights with a clear view of the western horizon. Space.com suggests that being at a higher elevation can enhance the visibility of the event.
Unlike solar eclipses, which require protective eyewear, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye. No special equipment is necessary, though binoculars or a telescope can provide a more detailed view of the Moon's surface during the eclipse.
The total lunar eclipse will be visible in its entirety across North and South America. Observers in Western Europe will witness the beginning and middle phases of the eclipse, while those in Asia will see the end of the event, as noted by The Independent. In the United Kingdom, viewers will need to look up at the sky early in the morning to see the transformation, although they will not see the eclipse in its totality.
In Mexico, the eclipse will reach its maximum point at 12:58 a.m. local time on March 14, with the total phase lasting approximately one hour and five minutes, reported by Space.com.
The Moon will appear slightly smaller than usual during this eclipse, as it will be near apogee, the farthest point in its elliptical orbit around Earth, making it a micromoon. Since the Moon's orbit is elliptical, it isn't equidistant from Earth; sometimes it's farther away and appears smaller.
Those who miss this celestial event will have another opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse on September 7–8, 2025. This second total lunar eclipse of the year will be visible from Asia and western Australia, according to Forbes. Additionally, a near-total lunar eclipse is expected on August 27–28, 2026, visible from parts of Europe, western Asia, Africa, North America, and South America.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.