What is the March 2025 Total Lunar Eclipse?

In March 2025, Lunar Eclipse: The lunar eclipse, the first solar eclipse since November 2022, will occur on March 14, 2025 and last for more than six. The solar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America as well as in the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic and Antarctic regions.

North America will conduct this spectacular event on March 13 or early morning on March 14, 2025, depending on the time zone. During the eclipse, the moon will pass into the shadow of the earth, which seems to turn red. The lunar eclipse will be held in a total of several time zones between late night on March 13 and early morning on March 14.

March 2025 Eclipse: Key Details

  • Event: Lunar Eclipse
  • Date: From March 13, 2025 (night) to March 14, 2025 (early morning)
  • Visibility: Western Hemisphere
  • Phenomenon: The moon enters the shadow of the earth, and appears red

Source: NASA

Also Read | Snow Moon 2025: Date, Time and Meaning of the Full Moon in February

Moon and solar eclipse

Solar eclipses occur when the Earth, the Moon and the Sun appear in a way that shadows on the Moon or Earth. These celestial events occur four to seven times a year due to the moon’s inclined orbit. There are two main types of solar eclipse:

  • Lunar eclipse: Occurs when the shadow of the earth covers the moon.
  • Solar eclipse: This happens when the moon blocks the sun from the earth’s sight.

The tilted track of the moon

Compared to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the moon’s orbit is about 5 degrees incline. This prevents the monthly dimness, as the moon usually crosses above or below the sun from the perspective of the earth. A solar eclipse occurs only if the sun, moon and earth are perfectly aligned.

What is a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse, known as the “blood moon” due to its red and orange appearance, occurs when the earth is between the sun and the moon, causing the earth’s shadow to fall on the moon. When the moon is completely enveloped by the Earth’s Monbria, which is the darkest part of its shadow, a full lunar eclipse occurs.

Source: timeanddate

There are three types of lunar eclipse:

1. Total lunar eclipse: This occurs when the moon completely enters the Earth’s Monbra, which is the darkest part of its shadow. During this activity, the moon does not disappear from sight, but takes on a red tone. This color is due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. As the sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, the shorter blue wavelengths are dispersed, while the longer red wavelengths refract (curve) towards the moon. This effect is often called “Blood Moon”. The intensity and shadow of red may vary depending on the atmospheric conditions of the Earth during an eclipse.

Source: NASA

2. Partial lunar eclipse: This occurs when only a portion of the moon enters the Earth’s awning. During part of a local lunar eclipse, a distinct black shadow is visible on the moon’s surface, while the rest of the moon is still illuminated by the sun. The range of shadows and the affected moon partly depend on the alignment of the sun, the earth and the moon.

Source: NASA

3. Half-lunar eclipse: This occurs when the moon passes through the semi-shadow of the earth, which is the exterior, faint part of its shadow. During the half-light-year of the half-lunar eclipse, the moon experiences a subtle dimness, which can be challenging to observe with the naked eye. This solar eclipse is usually less dramatic than the dramaticity of a total lunar eclipse or a partial lunar eclipse.

Source: NASA

Key points to remember:

  • Lumbar eclipse can only occur during the full moon phase.
  • Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be viewed safely directly with the naked eye without any special equipment.
  • The duration of a lunar eclipse may vary depending on the type of eclipse and the specific alignment of the celestial bodies involved.
  • Lumbar eclipses are relatively common events that occur multiple times a year.

How to observe a solar eclipse

  • No special equipment is required – visible to the naked eye.
  • Best viewing conditions: A dark location away from city lights.
  • Use binoculars or telescopes for enhanced viewing.
  • Visibility chart: The lunar eclipse in March 2025 will be visible throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Source: NASA

Eclipse timeline and key events

milestone

UTC time

PDT time

EDT time

describe

Half-lunar eclipse begins

03:57

8:57 pm (March 13)

11:57 pm (March 13)

The moon enters the faint outer shadow of the earth. Slightly darkened.

Some solar eclipse begins

05:09

10:09 pm

1:09 AM

The moon begins to enter the earth’s awning, looking like a “bite” taken out of it.

The overall start

06:26

11:26 pm

2:26 am

The moon is completely inside the cover and turns red.

Overall end

07:31

12:31 am

3:31 AM

The moon begins to exit the awning. The red hue gradually fades away.

Partial eclipse ends

08:47

1:47 am

4:47 AM

Most of the moon comes from Umbra.

Half-lunar eclipse ends

10:00

3:00 am

6:00 am

The solar eclipse is over.

Why does the moon turn red?

As the sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, shorter wavelengths (blue and green) scatter, leaving only longer wavelengths (red and orange) to reach the moon. This effect causes the moon to appear red when the earth is directly between the sun and the moon. The more dust or clouds there is in the atmosphere, the moon may appear, forming an amazing “blood moon”.

Source: NASA

  • The red-orange shades occur due to Rayley scattering, and the same effect makes the sunset red.
  • Earth’s atmosphere filters the sunlight, allowing only longer wavelengths (red and orange) to reach the moon.
  • The more dust or clouds there are in the Earth’s atmosphere, the redness of the moon appears.

What else can you observe on Eclipse Night?

During a lunar eclipse, several celestial bodies can be seen in the sky. Many planets, including Jupiter and Mars with signs, will increase the visibility of the stars.

  • Jupiter and Mars: visible in the western sky.
  • Zodiac sign: The moon will be in Leo at first, and later pass Virgo.
  • Enhanced stellar visibility: As the moon darkens, the faint objects become more prominent.

Solar eclipse and spacecraft

Lunar Eclipses offer unique observation opportunities, although they usually have minimal impact on satellite operation, as satellites are equipped with batteries that can store energy and functionality during dark times. However, during the lunar eclipse, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbit (LRO) shuts down most instruments to save energy because it is solar-powered and loses power during the eclipse. The Diviner instrument remains active as it can observe how the moon’s surface responds to rapid temperature changes caused by solar eclipses. These data allow scientists to infer the size and density of rocks on the moon and better understand the composition and properties of the surface, as different rock sizes cool at different speeds.

Future changes in solar eclipse

  • The moon drifts from the earth at a speed of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) each year.
  • Within 600 million years, the moon will be too far away to cause total leaf lips of solar energy, resulting in only annular erosion.

The upcoming lunar eclipse

date

Solar eclipse type

Visible area

March 14, 2025

All

Pacific, America, Western Europe, West Africa

September 7, 2025

All

Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia

March 3, 2026

All

East Asia, Australia, Pacific, America

August 28, 2026

Partial

Eastern Pacific, America, Europe, Africa

Click here for detailed instructions on the upcoming lunar eclipse

in conclusion

The lunar eclipse in March 2025 will be a spectacular celestial event visible throughout the Western Hemisphere. This is a great opportunity for stargazers, photographers and astronomy enthusiasts to witness a breathtaking natural phenomenon. For the best experience, head to a dark location and use a binocular or telescope to capture a detailed view of the moon’s transformation.