Experience the Moon’s Red Transformation During March’s Total Lunar Eclipse

NEW YORK—A total lunar eclipse will transform the moon into a striking red hue from Thursday night into Friday morning across the Western Hemisphere.

The prime viewing locations are set to be North America and South America, with parts of Africa and Europe potentially catching a glimpse.

Lunar eclipses occur when the moon, Earth, and sun align perfectly, allowing the Earth to cast a shadow that can either partially or completely obscure the moon.

In a partial lunar eclipse, it appears as though the Earth’s shadow is taking a bite out of the moon. During a total eclipse, the entire moon is cast in a coppery red tone due to sunlight filtering through the Earth’s atmosphere.

Nasa indicates that lunar and solar eclipses can occur between four to seven times a year. Last September saw a partial lunar eclipse visible in the Americas, Africa, and Europe, while the last total lunar eclipse took place in 2022.

How to View the Lunar Eclipse

The much-anticipated blood moon will be visible for approximately one hour starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern on Friday morning, with peak viewing around 3 a.m. Eastern.

Simply head outside and look up—there’s no need for eclipse glasses or any specialized gear.

“If the sky is clear, you should not miss it,” remarked Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.

The moon’s setting may pose a challenge for viewing the eclipse in Europe and Africa.

“This eclipse is predominantly for observers in North and South America,” stated astronomy expert Michael Faison from Yale University.

In case you miss this event, remember to mark September 7 on your calendar for another total lunar eclipse that will be observable in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. The Americas can expect their next chance in March 2026.

The History of Eclipses

For thousands of years, civilizations have gazed at and interpreted lunar eclipses. According to historian Zoe Ortiz, ancient societies understood celestial phenomena more than we often recognize.

“They observed the night sky with a clarity that surpasses our understanding today,” Ortiz remarked from the University of North Texas.

Aristotle noted that the shadow cast by the Earth on the moon during a lunar eclipse was consistently curved, a discovery that supported the notion of a spherical Earth.

In ancient Mesopotamia, a blood-red moon was viewed as an ill omen for the king, leading the people to install a substitute ruler around the time of the eclipse to safeguard their monarch from any negative consequences.

“If there’s ever a movie plot,” said Ortiz, “that’s the one.”

By Adithi Ramakrishnan