Stunning Total Lunar Eclipse Will Be Visible Across The Americas This March

Skywatchers can look forward to a spectacular total lunar eclipse this month. The event will take place overnight from March 13 to 14, 2025, and will be visible from anywhere on Earth's night side. The best views will be in North and South America. Parts of Europe may catch a glimpse of the eclipse at moonset, while East Asia will see it at moonrise. The last total lunar eclipse was in November 2022, and the next one will not be until March 2026.

What causes a total lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves between the Sun and a full moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. During a total lunar eclipse, the three are perfectly aligned.

As you probably know, the Moon does not produce any light. It merely reflects the light from the Sun. When Earth gets in between, it blocks the sunlight. But instead of going dark, the Moon transforms into an orangish-red color, often known as the "Blood Moon."

The color is caused by the Sun’s rays bending around the edge of our planet. Earth’s atmosphere scatters the shorter wavelength colors, like green and blue. It only allows longer wavelengths — the redder end of the spectrum — to reach the lunar surface. This gives our satellite a haunting glow.

“The exact color that the moon appears depends on the amount of dust and clouds in the atmosphere,” NASA scientists told Space.com. “If there are extra particles in the atmosphere, from say a recent volcanic eruption, the moon will appear a darker shade of red.”

What time is the March eclipse?

In the US, the celestial show begins at 11:57 pm EDT on March 13, when the Earth’s shadow starts moving across the Moon. At 2:26 am EDT, our planet will completely cover the Moon for about 65 minutes, giving it an eerie reddish-brown hue. The eclipse will begin to reverse at 3:30 am EDT. By 6:00 am EDT, the Moon will be fully visible and glowing in the sky again.

What do I need to watch the eclipse?

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses do not require special glasses. They also last several hours, giving viewers plenty of time to enjoy the spectacle.

Happy Viewing!

Resources: Space.com, Wikipedia.org, Earthsky.com