A rare and breathtaking celestial phenomenon is in the making! On March 14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse, or "blood moon," will be visible throughout the entire Western Hemisphere, including all states in the United States. This is a special treat, as it's been years since all US states will have an opportunity to see at least a part of this spectacular phenomenon.
The eclipse will take place as the Earth lines up between the sun and the moon in the early morning of March 13 and 14, 2025. Although Hawaii and some parts of Alaska will be treated to the spectacle, they will, regrettably, miss the beginning of the first penumbral phase of the eclipse.
What to Look for During the Eclipse
The total lunar eclipse will be a whopping six hours and three minutes long. The climax of the event, or totality, is when the moon will show off its signature red color, creating the "blood moon" phenomenon. Save the date for 2:26 am EDT on March 14, 2025, as this is when totality will take place.
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For those who want to get a glimpse of the earliest phases, NASA's announcement says the penumbral phase, when the moon is inside Earth's outer shadow, starts at approximately 11:57 pm EDT on March 13.
Prime Viewing Times Across the US
To ensure you don't miss this celestial show, here are the best times to observe the eclipse in different US time zones:
- Eastern Time (ET): 2:26-3:32 am EDT on Friday
- Central Time (CT): 1:26-2:32 am CDT on Friday
- Mountain Time (MT): 12:26-1:32 am MDT on Friday
- Pacific Time (PT): 11:26 pm on Thursday, into 12:32 am PDT on Friday
- Alaska Time (AKDT): 10:26-11:32 pm AKDT on Thursday
- Hawaii-Aleutian Time (HST): 8:26-9:32 pm HST on Thursday
Why is it Called a Blood Moon?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon enters Earth's shadow, with the Earth, sun, and moon aligned. In contrast to partial lunar eclipses, in which only part of the moon is covered, a total lunar eclipse has the whole moon enter the umbra, the innermost and darkest region of Earth's shadow, blocking sunlight entirely.
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When Earth's shadow brings about a deep red or reddish-orange glow upon the moon, it becomes known as the "blood moon." The fascinating event is due to the scattering and refracting of sunlight through the atmosphere of Earth.
As reported by NASA, the next total lunar eclipse to be seen from the United States will not be until March 2026. With about 863 million people (10.5% of the world's population) witnessing the whole event from the front row, this is a spectacle not to be missed for sky gazers throughout the country. Don't miss your opportunity to see this breathtaking celestial phenomenon!
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