Moon turns red: Watch a big celestial event in March – a total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse will cast a red hue over the moon from Thursday night into Friday morning, offering a spectacular view across the Western Hemisphere, particularly in North and South America. Observers in parts of Europe and Africa might also catch a glimpse of this celestial event. Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, Earth, and moon align in such a way that the Earth’s shadow partially or completely obscures the moon. In a partial lunar eclipse, it appears as if a portion of the moon has been bitten away by Earth’s shadow, while a total eclipse completely covers the moon, giving it a coppery red tint due to sunlight that filters through the Earth’s atmosphere.

According to NASA, lunar and solar eclipses can occur between four to seven times a year. A recent partial lunar eclipse was visible across the Americas, Europe, and Africa last September, while the last total lunar eclipse took place in 2022.

For those eager to witness the upcoming lunar eclipse, the so-called “blood moon” will be visible for around one hour, beginning at 2:26 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, with the peak viewing period occurring around 3 a.m. Eastern. To observe this phenomenon, simply step outside and look up; no special equipment or eclipse glasses are necessary. Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, stated, “As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it.” However, the setting moon may hinder visibility in Europe and Africa, making this event primarily one for North and South America, according to Yale University astronomy expert Michael Faison. If you miss this eclipse, take note of September 7, when another total lunar eclipse will be visible in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, with the next opportunity for viewers in the Americas occurring in March 2026.

Lunar eclipses have captivated civilizations for thousands of years, with ancient peoples displaying a remarkable understanding of celestial events. Historian Zoe Ortiz from the University of North Texas highlighted that ancient observers had a more profound perception of the night sky than we often acknowledge. Aristotle famously noted that the shadow cast by Earth during a lunar eclipse was consistently curved, providing early evidence of the Earth’s round shape. Additionally, ancient Mesopotamians interpreted the blood-red moon as a dire omen for their king, leading them to appoint a substitute king during the eclipse to safeguard their ruler from potential misfortune. “If there’s ever a movie plot,” Ortiz remarked, “that’s the one.”