Get ready to witness the rare and breathtaking sight of a Total Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon on March 14, as the moon takes on a deep red hue.
On March 14, skywatchers in the Americas will be treated to a spectacular celestial event – the first of 2025’s two total lunar eclipses.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight that normally reflects off the Moon's surface.
This can only happen during a full moon, when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun.
There are three types of lunar eclipses: penumbral, partial, and total.
Penumbral eclipses occur when the Earth's shadow falls on a small portion of the Moon's surface, while partial eclipses occur when the Earth's shadow covers a larger part of the Moon's surface.
Total lunar eclipses occur when the entire Moon enters the Earth's umbra, causing the Moon to darken and sometimes take on a reddish hue.
Astronomy lovers in America will have a great opportunity to observe this phenomenon. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon won’t disappear from view but will appear deep red as if it were covered in ‘blood’.
A Blood Moon occurs when the full moon takes on a reddish hue due to atmospheric conditions.
This phenomenon is caused by the Earth's atmosphere scattering blue light, leaving mainly red light to reach our eyes.
The result is a moon that appears to be tinted with a reddish or orange color.
Blood Moons are often associated with lunar eclipses and can be a rare and spectacular sight for astronomers and sky gazers.
The Science Behind the Blood Moon
During a lunar eclipse, Earth blocks the light from the sun that normally illuminates the moon. On the night of March 13 and the early morning of the 14th, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra, will cover the moon during its brightest phase. The moon appears red because of how the sun’s light interacts with Earth’s atmosphere.
Timing and Visibility
The eclipse will begin at 8:57 pm Pacific Time. In Mexico, the phenomenon will start at 10:57 pm CDT, in Argentina at 12:57 am (ART) and in Spain at 5:57 am (CET). The totality of the eclipse is projected to happen at 11:26 pm PDT, lasting approximately one hour.
How to Observe the Total Lunar Eclipse
Astronomers recommend staying away from large cities with high levels of light pollution. They also suggest going to high places without visual barriers such as buildings or trees. To get a better view, try binoculars or a telescope. If you want to take a photo, use a camera on a tripod with exposures of at least several seconds.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight that normally reflects off the Moon's surface.
There are three types of lunar eclipses: penumbral, partial, and total.
Penumbral eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow, causing a subtle darkening of the Moon's surface.
Partial eclipses happen when the Moon only partially enters the Earth's umbra, creating a darker patch on the Moon's surface.
Total lunar eclipses are rare and occur when the Moon is completely immersed in the Earth's umbra, turning a reddish hue.
Note: A second total lunar eclipse will happen this year on September 7 and will be visible in eastern parts of Africa, across much of Asia, and the western half of Australia.
