North America’s most spectacular total lunar eclipse until 2029 is now only days away. Destined to appear as a “blood moon” for 65 minutes to anyone in North America with clear skies, the total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, 2025, is not to be missed.
Here are nine things you need to know to understand and enjoy this rare, dramatic and spectacular total eclipse of the moon.
1. What Is A Total Lunar Eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse happens when Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow onto the lunar surface. The moon passes through Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of its shadow, and takes on a reddish hue due to sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere. This phenomenon is why it’s often called a “blood moon.”
2. Why Does The Moon Turn Red?
The reddish (including orange and pink) colors are caused by Rayleigh scattering, the same process that makes sunsets appear red. Earth’s atmosphere filters out shorter wavelengths like blue and violet, refracting the longer red and orange wavelengths toward the moon. The exact shade depends on atmospheric conditions, including dust and cloud cover. Smoke from fires in the atmosphere can give the eclipsed moon a darker reddish hue. We’ll have to wait and see what colors transpire.
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The Moon moves right to left, passing through the penumbra and umbra, ... [+] leaving in its wake an eclipse diagram with the times at various stages of the eclipse.NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
3. When Will It Happen?
The eclipse occurs overnight on March 13-14, 2025. Key times for the most dramatic phase, known as totality, are:
Eastern Time Zone: 2:26 a.m. to 3:32 a.m. EDT on March 14.
Pacific Time Zone: 11:26 p.m. PDT on March 13 to 12:32 a.m. PDT on March 14.
Make sure to set an alarm to catch this once-in-a-lifetime view.
MORE FOR YOU
Flights Briefly Halted Out Of Miami Area After SpaceX Starship Breaks Into Flames
‘Severance’ Season 2, Episode 8 Recap And Review: I’m Not Sure How I Feel About This One
Everyone Wants To Know About Trump’s Crypto Summit
4. Where Can You See It?
The eclipse will be visible across North and South America. All contiguous U.S. states and all Canadian provinces will have a clear view of the entire event, weather permitting. Alaska and Hawaii will miss only the beginning of the initial penumbral phase of the eclipse. Western Europe will see the moon set fully eclipsed, while New Zealanders will see it rise already in totality.
5. Why Is This Eclipse Special?
This total lunar eclipse is the first visible from North America since November 2022. It will also be the last one visible across the continent until 2029, making it a rare opportunity for skywatchers. With totality lasting 65 minutes, it’s a must-see.
6. How Long Does The Eclipse Last?
The entire eclipse spans 366 minutes (just over six hours), from the moon entering Earth’s penumbra to leaving it. Totality itself, when the moon is entirely in the umbra, lasts about 65 minutes. This rather long duration will allow plenty of time to observe and photograph the event.
7. What Equipment Do You Need?
You don’t need special equipment to enjoy the eclipse, which is always safe to view with the naked eye. However, binoculars or a telescope will enhance the details of the moon’s surface, as will any kind of small or large telescope. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens and tripod, or a telescope, are best for capturing stunning close up shots. However, you can also get souvenir shots using a smartphone (also on a tripod, or better still, held to the eyepiece of a telescope).
The total lunar eclipse of April 4, 2015 taken from near Tear Drop Arch, in western Monument Valley, ... [+] Utah. (Photo by: Alan Dyer /VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Universal Images Group via Getty Images
8. Will The Weather Cooperate?
Clear skies are crucial for eclipse viewing. Check local weather forecasts in advance, and consider traveling to areas with likely clear skies if clouds ate predicted where you are. All you need is for clouds to part briefly during the long totality to see the main attraction — a totally eclipsed “blood moon” — so don’t give up.
9. Can You See The Eclipse In Cities?
Many articles suggest that light pollution makes it harder to see the eclipsed moon. It’s nonsense. You can easily watch the entire event from a light-polluted city. All you’ll miss is the sight of stars appearing around the moon during totality. That’s a beautiful sight but perhaps not essential for most observers. Heightened solar activity might produce faint auroras in northern latitudes, giving another reason to head for dark skies.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.