A total lunar eclipse is set to occur overnight, offering skywatchers a breathtaking celestial display. If you’re wondering what time is the lunar eclipse today?, we have all the details you need to ensure you don’t miss this rare event.
What time is the lunar eclipse today?
The total lunar eclipse will take place on March 14, 2025, and will be visible across the Pacific, Americas, western Europe, and western Africa. The eclipse will last for approximately 3 hours and 38 minutes, with the totality phase—when the Earth’s shadow fully covers the moon—lasting about 65 minutes.
Here is a breakdown of the key eclipse timings (all times in EDT):
- Enter Partial Shadow: 11:57 p.m.
- Full Shadow Begins: 1:09 a.m.
- Total Eclipse Begins: 2:26 a.m.
- Greatest Eclipse: 2:59 a.m.
- Total Eclipse Ends: 3:31 a.m.
- Partial Eclipse Ends: 4:47 a.m.
- Last of the Partial Shadow: 6:00 a.m.
Is there a red moon tonight?
Yes! A total lunar eclipse is often referred to as a “blood moon” due to the reddish hue the moon takes on during the event. The Earth’s atmosphere filters sunlight, scattering shorter wavelengths and allowing only the longer red wavelengths to reach the moon, giving it that deep rusty or coppery appearance.
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What causes a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth aligns perfectly between the sun and the moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to be cast upon the moon. There are three types of lunar eclipses:
- Total lunar eclipse: The entire moon passes through the Earth’s umbra (deepest shadow), creating a blood moon effect.
- Partial lunar eclipse: Only a portion of the moon enters the Earth’s umbra, causing a visible dark shadow.
- Penumbral lunar eclipse: The moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra (outer shadow), resulting in subtle dimming.
Where can you see the total lunar eclipse 2025?
This total lunar eclipse will be visible across North America, South America, western Europe, and western Africa. The best visibility will be in regions where the eclipse occurs late at night or early in the morning, depending on the time zone.
When is the next total lunar eclipse after 2025?
If you miss this one, the next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 3, 2026, visible across East Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and the Americas. Between 2025 and 2030, there will be several lunar eclipses, including both partial and penumbral ones. However, the U.S. will not see another total lunar eclipse until 2026.
What is a solar eclipse, and how is it different?
Unlike a lunar eclipse, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking sunlight partially or completely. A total solar eclipse happens when the sun is entirely obscured, casting a shadow over a portion of the Earth. The next major total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, and will be visible across North America.
How to watch the total lunar eclipse?
Watching a lunar eclipse is completely safe and requires no special equipment. However, for a better view:
- Find a dark location away from city lights.
- Use binoculars or a telescope to enhance visibility.
- Check local weather conditions for clear skies.
- Set an alarm to wake up at the right time!
