Watch the Moon Turn Red During March’s Total Lunar Eclipse
A total lunar eclipse will paint the moon a deep red this Thursday night into Friday morning, visible across much of the Western Hemisphere. North and South America will have the best views, though parts of Africa and Europe may also catch a glimpse.
What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon, Earth, and sun align just perfectly. During this alignment, the Earth casts its shadow on the moon, blocking the sun’s light.
- In a partial lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow makes it look like a bite has been taken out of the moon.
- In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon is covered by Earth’s shadow and takes on a coppery red hue. This red color is the result of sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere and scattering in a way that casts a reddish glow on the moon.
Lunar and solar eclipses occur between four to seven times a year, according to NASA. The last total lunar eclipse happened in 2022, and a partial eclipse was visible across parts of the Americas, Africa, and Europe last September.
How to See the Total Lunar Eclipse
For those in North and South America, the total lunar eclipse will be visible from 2:26 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday morning, with peak viewing at approximately 3 a.m. Eastern Time. The phenomenon will last for about an hour.
The best part? You don’t need any special equipment or eclipse glasses to see it—just go outside and look up. According to Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, “As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it.”
However, the moon’s setting could make it harder to spot the eclipse in Europe and parts of Africa. This total lunar eclipse is primarily a North and South American event, according to Michael Faison, an astronomy expert from Yale University.
Missed it? Don’t worry—mark your calendar for Sept. 7, when the next total lunar eclipse will be visible across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. If you’re in the Americas, your next chance will be in March 2026.
A Brief History of Lunar Eclipses
Lunar eclipses have fascinated civilizations for thousands of years, with many cultures interpreting them in unique ways. According to Zoe Ortiz, a historian at the University of North Texas, ancient peoples observed the night sky with remarkable clarity.
One of the most famous historical observations came from Aristotle, who noted that the shadow cast by Earth on the moon during a lunar eclipse was always curved. This evidence helped prove that the Earth is round.
In ancient Mesopotamia, people saw the red moon as an ominous sign for the king. To protect their ruler from any bad fate, they installed a substitute king during the eclipse. Ortiz jokes, “If there’s ever a movie plot, that’s the one.”
Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or simply curious about nature’s wonders, this total lunar eclipse is an opportunity not to be missed!
