Don’t Miss the ‘Blood Moon’: Discover Where to Watch This Month’s Total Lunar Eclipse!

Mark your calendars for March 13-14, 2025. A stunning total lunar eclipse will light up the night sky. For about 65 minutes, the moon will drift into Earth’s shadow and turn a deep red color, known as a “blood moon.”

This eclipse will be visible to everyone on the night side of the Earth, but the greatest views will be in North and South America. People in parts of Europe might catch the moon setting as the eclipse unfolds, while in East Asia, the moon will be rising during the event. The peak of the eclipse will occur over the Pacific Ocean, offering a spectacular experience for those in the Americas.

The best part? It’s perfectly safe to look at the moon throughout the eclipse. Unlike a solar eclipse, you can enjoy this celestial show without any special glasses. The entire event will last about six hours, starting at 11:57 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 6 a.m. EDT on March 14. However, the most exciting phase, when the moon is fully eclipsed, will happen from 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m. EDT.

Here’s how the eclipse unfolds:

• The penumbral phase (when the moon enters Earth’s outer shadow) starts at 11:57 p.m. EDT and lasts until 1:09 a.m. EDT (03:57 to 05:09 UTC).
• The partial phase, where the moon begins to look red, runs from 1:09 a.m. to 2:26 a.m. EDT (05:09 to 06:26 UTC).
• Totality lasts 65 minutes, from 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m. EDT (06:26 to 07:31 UTC).
• The partial phase resumes from 3:31 a.m. to 4:47 a.m. EDT (07:31 to 08:47 UTC), followed by the final penumbral phase, ending at 6 a.m. EDT (10:00 UTC).

The view will be fantastic across most of the Americas, with partial views in Europe, Africa, and East Asia. Here’s a quick breakdown :

• North America: All states—including Alaska and Hawaii—will see the entire eclipse.
• South America: Most of the continent, especially Brazil and Argentina, will witness the totality after midnight on March 14.
• Europe: Western Europe gets a glimpse during moonset, but totality will be missed.
• Africa: Western Africa, including Morocco and Senegal, will see totality as the moon sets.
• Oceania: New Zealand will witness the eclipse in its later stages as the moon rises.

In the United States, all time zones will enjoy a great view of the total lunar eclipse. Here are key times to keep in mind:

• Eastern Time: Begins at 11:57 p.m. EDT, partial at 1:09 a.m., total at 2:26 a.m., and ends at 6 a.m.
• Central Time: Begins at 10:57 p.m. CDT, partial at 12:09 a.m., total at 1:26 a.m., and ends at 5 a.m.
• Mountain Time: Begins at 9:57 p.m. MDT, partial at 11:09 p.m., total at 12:26 a.m., and ends at 4 a.m.
• Pacific Time: Begins at 8:57 p.m. PDT, partial at 10:09 p.m., total at 11:26 p.m., and ends at 3 a.m.
• Alaska Time: Begins at 7:57 p.m. AKDT, partial at 9:09 p.m., total at 10:26 p.m., and ends at 2 a.m.
• Hawaii Time: The eclipse is in its penumbral phase when the moon rises at 6:32 p.m. HST, and ends at midnight.

While Europe won’t get the best view, some areas will see parts of the event. The penumbral phase starts at 3:47 a.m. GMT in London, with totality occurring too close to moonset to be fully appreciated. However, places like Iceland will have a great view, enjoying totality just before its local moonset.

Weather conditions will play a big role in visibility. For those on the night side of Earth, a clear sky is essential. Areas with less cloud cover will have the best views. Western parts of the U.S. and Canada usually have clearer skies in March, while weather in Europe can be unpredictable.

So, gear up for an incredible experience! A total lunar eclipse is a rare sight that captivates everyone. Enjoy the show!