A spectacular total lunar eclipse will take place on the night of March 13 or early morning on March 14, 2025, depending on where you are in the world. This astronomical event will give skywatchers the chance to see the Moon turn a striking red as it moves into Earth’s shadow. Here’s everything you need to know about this upcoming eclipse, and how you can experience it.
What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in such a way that the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow. This causes the Moon to darken, and during a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon moves into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. This makes the Moon appear red or orange. This is why lunar eclipses are often called “Blood Moons.”
In a total lunar eclipse, the full moon doesn’t vanish into complete darkness. Instead, it takes on a reddish hue. This is due to the Earth’s atmosphere scattering sunlight, allowing only the longer wavelengths—red and orange—through. This light is then cast onto the Moon, creating the reddish tint.
How to Observe the Eclipse
One of the best things about observing a lunar eclipse is that you don’t need any special equipment. The eclipse will be visible to the naked eye, but if you want to get a clearer and more detailed view, binoculars or a telescope will enhance the experience.
Finding a dark location away from city lights will help you see the eclipse more clearly. A rural area or a place with minimal light pollution will provide the best viewing conditions.
This upcoming total lunar eclipse will be visible from the Western Hemisphere, so residents in North and South America will be in a prime position to see the event. If you’re in these areas, make sure to mark your calendars!
What to Expect During the Eclipse
The lunar eclipse will unfold in several stages, each offering a different visual experience. Here’s a timeline of the key events of the eclipse:
1. Penumbral Eclipse Begins (8:57 pm PDT, 11:57 pm EDT, 03:57 UTC)
The Moon will first enter Earth’s penumbra, which is the outer part of Earth’s shadow. During this phase, the Moon will begin to dim slightly, but the effect will be subtle and difficult to notice without close observation.
2. Partial Eclipse Begins (10:09 pm PDT, 1:09 am EDT, 05:09 UTC)
At this stage, the Moon will begin to move into Earth’s umbra—the darker, inner part of the shadow. As the Moon enters the umbra, it will appear as though a “bite” is being taken out of the lunar disk. This marks the beginning of the partial eclipse. The portion of the Moon inside the umbra will appear much darker than the rest.
3. Totality Begins (11:26 pm PDT, 2:26 am EDT, 06:26 UTC)
This is the moment when the entire Moon will be completely within Earth’s umbra. As a result, the Moon will take on a coppery-red color. This is the peak of the lunar eclipse and will be the most dramatic part of the event. For those interested in astronomy or photography, this is the ideal time to use binoculars or a telescope. If you want to capture the moment on camera, it’s best to use a tripod and take long exposures of several seconds.
4. Totality Ends (12:31 am PDT, 3:31 am EDT, 07:31 UTC)
As the Moon moves out of Earth’s umbra, the red color will begin to fade. The “bite” that had been taken out of the Moon earlier will now reverse, and the rest of the lunar disk will gradually return to its normal brightness.
5. Partial Eclipse Ends (1:47 am PDT, 4:47 am EDT, 08:47 UTC)
The entire Moon will now be back in the penumbra. Although the dimming effect will still be noticeable, it will be much more subtle than earlier.
6. Penumbral Eclipse Ends (3:00 am PDT, 6:00 am EDT, 10:00 UTC)
This marks the end of the lunar eclipse. The Moon will once again be fully illuminated by the Sun, and the event will be over.
Why Does the Moon Turn Red During a Lunar Eclipse?
The reddish hue of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse is the result of the Earth’s atmosphere scattering sunlight. Normally, the sky appears blue because blue light scatters easily in Earth’s atmosphere. However, at sunrise and sunset, sunlight passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere, scattering away much of the blue light. This leaves the red and orange wavelengths to reach our eyes, making the Sun appear red at these times.
During a lunar eclipse, the same phenomenon occurs. Sunlight that passes through Earth’s atmosphere gets filtered and projected onto the Moon, creating the red-orange color. It’s as if the world’s sunrises and sunsets are being projected onto the Moon at the same time.
Other Celestial Wonders to Look Out For
Aside from the Moon, there will be other celestial bodies to observe during the eclipse. Look to the western sky for a glimpse of the planets Jupiter and Mars, which will be visible during the event. The Moon will also be in the constellation Leo at the start of the eclipse, positioned under the lion’s hind paw. As the night progresses, the Moon will cross into the constellation Virgo.
The dimming of the Moon’s light caused by Earth’s shadow may make it easier to spot constellations in the night sky, so take this opportunity to enjoy stargazing in addition to watching the eclipse.
Don’t Miss Out on the March 2025 Eclipse
Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys watching rare celestial events, the total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, 2025, will be a breathtaking sight. Make sure to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the cosmos.
For more skywatching tips and lunar updates, visit New York Mirror.
