Observers gazing up at the sky tonight are in for a treat as they witness the mesmerizing “Blood Moon” of March 2025. This rare phenomenon will cast the full moon in striking hues of red, orange, and yellow during a total lunar eclipse. The celestial display is set to occur late tonight on March 13 or in the early hours of March 14, depending on the viewer’s location. Those in the Americas and other parts of the Western Hemisphere should be able to witness this spectacle.
Referred to as the “Worm Moon” by the Farmer’s Almanac, which has been naming full moons for nearly a century, this lunar event is expected to begin on Wednesday evening and extend into Saturday morning, as per NASA. The full moon will reach its peak entirety early on Friday.
Here’s what you need to know about this event and the reason behind the moon’s unique coloring:
**Why will the moon appear red, orange, and yellow tonight?**
As Earth passes between the sun and the moon during a total lunar eclipse, the moon will take on a reddish hue late tonight or early tomorrow morning, depending on the observer’s location. The alignment of these celestial bodies causes the moon to darken as sunlight is blocked by Earth. However, certain shades of light manage to reach the lunar surface, with longer wavelengths such as red, orange, and yellow being the predominant colors that endure the journey through Earth’s atmosphere.
**What is a “Blood Moon”?**
The term “Blood Moon” describes the moon’s reddish appearance during a total lunar eclipse. The moon transitions through various shades of red, orange, and yellow as it moves within Earth’s shadow, with deep red hues becoming more pronounced as it enters the darkest part of the shadow.
**What causes a “Blood Moon”?**
During a total lunar eclipse, the alignment of the sun, Earth, and the moon leads to long wavelengths of sunlight being refracted through Earth’s atmosphere and reflected by the moon in reddish tones, resembling the color of blood.
**How to observe the “Blood Moon” lunar eclipse**
The upcoming “Blood Moon” will commence before the full moon reaches its peak brightness. The lunar eclipse will begin at 11:57 p.m. EDT as the moon starts its journey through Earth’s shadow, gradually dimming until it reaches its darkest phase from around 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m. early Friday morning. Observers are encouraged to witness this captivating event.
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The best time to observe the reddish moon is in the minutes before 3 a.m. EDT, when the moon is expected to be at the heart of Earth’s shadow. President Trump responds to the European Union imposing tariffs on American goods. A Kentucky bourbon producer reports feeling the immediate impact of Trump’s tariffs on their business. Get informed about the approaching government shutdown as the funding deadline approaches.
