Total lunar eclipse 2025: why it is called ‘blood moon’, when it will happen and how to watch it

A spectacular celestial event will be seen in the skies over North America: a total lunar eclipse will be visible from coast to coast in the United States, offering stargazers an incredible opportunity to witness the phenomenon known as the “Blood Moon.” Whether in a large city or rural area, it will be in plain view for millions of people. Here’s everything you need to know about this event.

What is a total lunar eclipse?

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that gradually darkens and then completely envelops the lunar surface. As the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, sunlight is refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters the shorter wavelengths of light and allows longer, redder wavelengths to illuminate the Moon. This is what creates the reddish hue that gives the eclipse its “Blood Moon” name.

When will the “Blood Moon” be?

On March 13, 2025, the Moon will enter Earth’s penumbral shadow at about 11:57 pm ET. This will begin the first phase of the eclipse, which will cause a subtle darkening of the lunar surface. As the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow, the partial eclipse will begin. The total lunar eclipse, during which the Moon will be completely covered by the Earth’s shadow and bathed in a reddish glow, will last approximately 65 minutes. This brief totality will be visible over much of the United States.

What time to view the total lunar eclipse in the United States?

The total lunar eclipse will occur during the night, but the timing will vary by location. These are the key times for different time zones in the United States:

• Eastern Time (ET): totality from 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m. on March 14.
• Central Time (CT): totality from 1:26 a.m. to 2:31 a.m. March 14
• Mountain Time (MT): totality from 12:26 p.m. to 1:31 a.m. March 14
• Pacific Time (PT): totality from 11:26 a.m. (March 13) to 12:31 p.m. (March 14)
• Alaska time (AKDT): totality from 10:26 p.m. to 11:31 p.m. (March 13)
• Hawaii Standard Time (HST): totality from 8:26 p.m. to 9:31 p.m. on March 13.

The “Blood Moon” will be visible throughout North and South America and will be best viewed from dark skies. Although urban areas may have some light pollution, the eclipse will still be visible in cities, and the red hue will stand out even against city lights. For the best experience, it is recommended to find a location away from artificial lights, such as a national park or a quiet rural area.

For example, in California, the National Parks Conservation Association has designated Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks in southern California as Certified Dark Sky Parks.

Best places to watch the eclipse

• Western United States: Mauna Kea (Hawaii), Death Valley (California/Nevada), Grand Canyon (Arizona), Big Bend (Texas) and Joshua Tree (California).
• High altitude locations with less atmospheric interference: Rocky Mountains (Colorado), Mount Hood (Oregon), Great Basin (Nevada) and Mount Rainier (Washington).
• Dark sky and rural areas (Central and Eastern): Cherry Springs (Pennsylvania), Katahdin Woods (Maine), Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee/North Carolina) and Glacier (Montana).
• There will be limited visibility in urban areas. Some places to view the eclipse with good visibility are Griffith Observatory (California), Haleakala (Hawaii), Bryce Canyon (Utah) and Central Park (New York).

What you need to know

As the Moon moves through the phases of the eclipse, viewers will notice the gradual transformation from a bright, full Moon to one that becomes progressively darker and takes on a reddish hue during totality. This is the most important moment of the eclipse and can last more than an hour.

The transition from penumbral to umbral shadow will be subtle at first, but as the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow, a darkening of the lunar surface will be observed. Once at totality, the Moon will appear deep red or orange, with the exact color varying depending on atmospheric conditions.

After totality, the process will be reversed: the Moon will gradually emerge from the Earth’s shadow and return to its normal state of illumination.

Although the eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope will enhance the experience and allow more detail of the lunar surface to be seen.

For those who cannot see it in person, live broadcasts will be available on the Internet, such as on NASA’s YouTube channel.

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