The Moon is Turning Blood Red For One Night This Month

On the night between March 13 and 14, 2025, a rare celestial event will occur—a total lunar eclipse that will turn the moon a striking shade of red, earning it the nickname blood moon.

This event is not only a sight to behold, but it's also scientifically fascinating. If you live in North or South America, you'll be treated to the best views of the eclipse, but skywatchers across Europe, parts of Africa, and Oceania can catch glimpses of the event as well.

Whether you're an astronomy enthusiast or a casual observer, here's everything you need to know about the March 2025 blood moon.

Best Viewing Locations

North and South America will be the prime locations to experience the full extent of the blood moon. People in these regions will be able to witness all five phases of the lunar eclipse, including the breathtaking moment when the moon is entirely bathed in Earth's shadow, turning it red.

The Western United States and parts of Canada are particularly favored due to generally clearer skies in March.

For those in Europe, parts of the moon’s eclipse will be visible during moonset, while East Asia and Australia will have a chance to see the moon’s phases as it rises.

Wherever you are, it's important to escape areas with light pollution for the best experience. While the eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye, using a telescope or binoculars will enhance the experience.

What to Expect During the Eclipse

The eclipse will begin on the evening of March 13, 2025, and continue into the early morning of March 14.

It will last about five to six hours in total, but the most captivating part—when the moon is fully immersed in Earth’s shadow, or totality—will last for approximately 65 minutes.

The eclipse will occur in five distinct phases:

1. Penumbral Eclipse: The moon enters Earth's outer shadow, beginning to dim.
2. Partial Eclipse: As the moon moves further into the shadow, a reddish hue begins to appear on its surface.
3. Total Eclipse: The moon is completely in Earth’s umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing it to take on the dramatic red color.
4. Partial Eclipse (again): The shadow begins to retreat, and the red color gradually fades.
5. Penumbral Eclipse (again): The moon leaves the shadow entirely and returns to its normal brightness.

The eclipse’s peak, when the moon is fully red, will happen between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. Eastern Time.

During this brief period of totality, the moon will glow in various shades of red and orange, depending on how deeply it crosses Earth’s shadow.

Why Does the Moon Turn Red?

At the heart of the blood moon's color is a natural phenomenon tied to the physics of light. When Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon during a total lunar eclipse, the sunlight that would normally illuminate the moon is blocked. However, some of the sun’s light still makes its way through Earth’s atmosphere.

As the light passes through the atmosphere, shorter wavelengths like blue and violet are scattered by the molecules in the air. Only the longer wavelengths, which include red and orange hues, make it through and reach the moon’s surface.

This refracted sunlight casts the moon in shades of red, much like the colors of a sunset. In fact, you can think of the moon’s red hue as a collective projection of all the world’s sunrises and sunsets, as light from every part of the Earth’s atmosphere converges on the moon.

The exact shade of red can vary depending on Earth’s atmospheric conditions at the time—volcanic eruptions, for instance, can lead to even deeper red tones, while clear skies may result in a lighter red.

The Science Behind It

The blood moon phenomenon is a product of Earth’s atmosphere filtering sunlight. As sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, it’s bent (refracted) so that only longer wavelengths—reds, oranges, and yellows—make it to the moon.

During totality, the moon is fully immersed in Earth’s shadow, but some sunlight still reaches it in this manner. This gives the moon its characteristic red tint. The color can vary from a bright coppery red to a deeper, rusty color depending on atmospheric conditions.

Additionally, the position of the moon within the Earth's shadow will affect its hue. When the moon crosses the center of Earth’s umbra, it will appear darker, with more intense reds. The farther the moon is from the center of the shadow, the lighter and more orange the color will be.

How to Watch the Blood Moon

You don't need special glasses to observe a lunar eclipse—the event is perfectly safe to watch with the naked eye.

However, a telescope or binoculars can help you get a closer view and appreciate the finer details of the moon’s surface as it transitions through the eclipse phases. If you're looking for an optimal viewing experience, find a location free from artificial lights, such as a dark sky park or a quiet outdoor space.

The 2025 blood moon is the first total lunar eclipse since 2022, and it promises to be a spectacular event. Whether you're a seasoned skywatcher or a curious beginner, this event offers a unique opportunity to witness a rare astronomical phenomenon.

So, mark your calendar for the night of March 13-14, 2025, and prepare to be amazed as the moon turns blood red in the sky.