A blood moon increases: when and how to watch the entire lunar eclipse | Space News

The night sky is about to deliver a rare spectacle.

On March 13th to 14th, 2025, a total moon eclipse will take place, and the moon will be poured in a deep, copper-red shade. This solar eclipse will be observable from the western hemisphere of the earth.

Here is everything you need to know about the solar eclipse, why the moon appears red, where you can see them and how rare it is.

What is a total lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth positions itself directly between the sun and the moon, which hinders sunlight and throws a shadow over the surface of the moon.

There are three main types of such solar eclipses:

Total morulatory eclipse – The moon is completely in the shadow of the earth and takes on a reddish color.

Partial lunar eclipse – It happens when the shadow of the earth covers a fraction of the full moon. The shadow expands and then holds back, but never reaches the total phase.

Penumbrale lunar eclipse – A subtle phenomenon in which the moon goes through the outer shadow of the earth, which is known as a penumbra. The moon appears stupid as usual.

Why does the moon appear red?

During a total lunar eclipse, the moon becomes red or orange. The only sunlight that reaches the moon must first walk through the earth's atmosphere.

There the sunlight bumps into dust particles, water droplets and atmospheric gases. A phenomenon that is known as Rayleigh scatter comes into play: colors of sunlight that are associated with longer wavelengths, which are less scattering and are able to create the earth to reach the moon, while shorter wavelength colors are spreading everywhere else and never create the moon.

The colors in the sunlight – like everyone who has seen a rainbow or watched a prism, range from violet (the shortest wavelength) to red (the longest wavelength).

The red light, which it manages to the intact moon, reflects from its surface and gives this color to the only natural satellite of the earth.

When will the blood moon moon eclipse appear?

This entire lunar eclipse will be visible in large parts of the western hemisphere. North and South America is expected to see the entire process.

Here is a breakdown in the middle of Greenwich:

• Penumbrale solar eclipse begins: 03:57 GMT (23:57 et)
• Partial solar eclipse begins: 05:09 GMT (01:09 et)
• Total Eclipse begins: 06:26 GMT (02:26 et)
• Maximum solar eclipse (Deepest red color): 06:58 GMT (02:58 et)
• Overall infinance ends: 07:31 GMT (03:31 et)
• Partial solar eclipse ends: 08:47 GMT (04:47 et)
• Penumbrale solar eclipse ends: 09:59 GMT (05:59 et)

The total phase in which the moon is completely covered by the shadow of the earth will take about 65 minutes. Overall, the solar eclipse extends between 03:57 GMT and 09:59 GMT.

Is a blood moon rare?

A total lunar eclipse is not uncommon, but it doesn't happen frequently – there are usually a few decade every decade.

The latest blood moon occurred on November 8, 2022. The next one is expected from September 7th to 8th, 2025 and will be visible in Asia, Africa, Australia and parts of Europe.

The first overall moon eclipse since 2022 has been in the night sky in the night of Thursday, March 13th until the early morning of Friday, March 14th! 🌕

When the moon moves in the shadows of the earth, it will shine a deep, scary red. Don't miss this breathtaking moment in the night sky. pic.twitter.com/b6i2wxxdqv

– Science Museum (@Museumofscience) March 6, 2025

What is the relevance of the entire lunar eclipse?

A total lunar eclipse is meaning in different ways, from scientific and astronomical importance to cultural and symbolic meanings. Some of them are:

Studied the earth's atmosphere: Scientists can analyze the atmospheric composition, pollution and volcanic activity by examining how sunlight runs through the earth's atmosphere.

Exoplanet research: According to NASA, astronomers can examine how the light bends around the earth during a solar eclipse to better understand how planets, the other stars circle, behave when they transport themselves before their suns.

It also offers the possibility to observe and analyze the interaction between the sun, moon and earth.

Culturally, many old civilizations have associated lunar eclipses with omen, deities or supernatural events. Some believed that they signaled changes or divine news.

In Hindu mythology, lunar eclipses are connected to the Demon Rahu, which is assumed that he swallows the moon. Other cultures see the solar eclipse than the moon, which is swallowed by other creatures, such as: B. a Jaguar in the Maya tradition or a dog in China.

In ancient Chinese mythology, it was assumed that a heavenly dog ​​named Tian Gou (天狗 天狗) was responsible for causing lunar eclipses by trying to devour the moon. This story is associated with the legendary archer (后羿) and his wife Chang'e (嫦娥).
Hou yi shot down … pic.twitter.com/uqhdzczgq0

– Xingwu🐉chineseFolklore (@x1ngwu) October 6, 2024

How can you see the lunar eclipse?

Lunar eclipses are some of the most accessible heavenly events that should be observed.

To observe one, just step outside and check it out – no telescope or special equipment is required. However, experience can improve the use of binoculars or a small telescope by uncovering more details of the moon surface.

NASA also recommends finding a dark place, since “the solar eclipse will be more alive in areas of city lights and light pollution”.