Have you heard there's a lunar eclipse visible from North, South America and Europe in March 2025?
There may not be a total solar eclipse in 2025, but the next best thing — a total lunar eclipse — will occur twice.
On 13–14 March 2025, the full Moon will travel through Earth's shadow to create a lunar eclipse – a spectacular lunar light show during which the Moon's surface turns reddish.
The phenomenon, known colloquially as a 'blood moon', will last for over an hour and be best viewed from North and South America.
Find out when the next eclipse will occur
This final full Moon of winter, the Worm Moon, will undergo the first total lunar eclipse since 8 November 2022, but only the first of two in 2025.
A second total lunar eclipse will occur on 7–8 September 2025, this one best seen from Asia.
North Americans will miss out on the second total lunar eclipse entirely, though observers in the UK will glimpse during moonrise on 7 September.
Total lunar eclipses explained
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and a full Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface.
The darkest part of Earth’s shadow, its umbra, engulfs the Moon, causing it to take on a reddish hue.
This colour, often described as 'blood red', is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere and scattering — essentially, the same process that makes sunsets appear red.
However, the colour tends to be more pinkish and orange-tinted red than a deep blood red.
Phases of a total lunar eclipse
Earth has two shadows: an outer penumbral shadow and its dark central umbral shadow.
A total lunar eclipse only occurs when the moon moves through Earth's umbra, but to do so, it must first travel through its penumbra.
The result is five phases, each of which typically lasts about an hour:
- Penumbral lunar eclipse: the full moon enters Earth's penumbra and begins to dim.
- Partial lunar eclipse: the full moon begins to enter Earth's umbra and begins to turn reddish
- Total lunar eclipse (lunar totality): the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra.
- Partial lunar eclipse: the full moon begins to exit Earth's umbra and begins to lose its reddish color.
- Penumbral lunar eclipse: the full moon begins to exit Earth's penumbra and regains its glare.
The event reverses during totality, with the Moon reaching the centre of Earth's umbra and beginning to move out of it.
Total lunar eclipse best phases to watch
All the phases of a total lunar eclipse are interesting if you love to observe the Moon.
However, if you don't have time to watch the entire five-hour event — or just want to see the 'blood moon' segment, go outside during totality, when the entire surface will be reddish.
During this total lunar eclipse, totality will last for 65 minutes.
That gives you a long window to observe — and plenty of time to wait for a gap in the clouds if that's an issue on the night.
Is a total lunar eclipse safe to view?
Unlike a solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye, and no special equipment is required. So you won't need eclipse glasses.
Since the Earth's shadow removes the Moon's glare, an eclipsed Moon is much more comfortable to view than a regular full Moon.
When and where to see the total lunar eclipse
North America
The total lunar eclipse of March 2025 will be visible across North and South America, with clear skies allowing the event to occur during the night hours.
A total lunar eclipse is a global event, so it happens simultaneously — what's decisive is where you are on the planet.
You'll see it if you're on the night side of Earth during the event.
If not, you'll see none of it or else catch only the beginning or end at moonrise or moonset.
Here's when to see all five phases of this total lunar eclipse from North America (EST):
- Penumbral eclipse begins: 11:57 p.m. EST (13 March)
- Partial eclipse begins: 1:09 a.m. EST (14 March)
- Totality begins: 2:26 a.m. EST
- Totality ends: 3:31 a.m. EST
- Partial eclipse ends: 4:47 a.m. EST
- Penumbral eclipse ends: 6:00 a.m. EST
Here's when the totality phase of the March 2025 total lunar eclipse takes place in all North American timezones:
- EST: totality from 2:26 to 3:31 a.m. (14 March)
- CST: totality from 1:26 to 2:31 a.m. (14 March)
- MST: totality from 12:26 to 1:31 a.m. (14 March)
- PST: totality from 11:26 p.m. (13 March) to 12:31 a.m. (14 March)
- AKST: Ttotalityotality from 10:26 to 11:31 p.m. (13 March)
- HST: totality from 8:26 to 9:31 p.m. (13 March)
Europe
The March 2025 lunar eclipse will also be visible in parts of Europe, including the UK, though observers there will only catch the early phases before moonset.
In the UK, the eclipse will be only partially visible just before moonset in the pre-dawn hours of 14 March.
Here's when to see the first two phases of this total lunar eclipse from the U.K. (GMT):
- Penumbral eclipse begins: 3:57 a.m. GMT (14 March)
- Partial eclipse begins: 5:09 a.m. GMT
- Moonset at 6:22 a.m. GMT (London)
Sadly for observers in the eastern regions of the UK, the Moon will set just a few minutes before totality.
Those farther west will get the chance to witness totality for a short time before moonset, but since the moon will be setting — a time when it's already orange because of refraction by Earth's atmosphere — it's arguable whether totality will be noticeable at all.
What is certain is that the preceding partial eclipse, featuring Earth's shadow moving across the lunar surface, will be worth observing if the skies are clear.
Observing a total lunar eclipse
The March 2025 lunar eclipse is an event that can be enjoyed with the naked eye.
During totality, the Moon will appear dimmer and redder, though the intensity of the colour can depend on atmospheric conditions (such as the presence of smoke from wildfires).
Binoculars will give you a closer look at the lunar surface, showing up subtle gradations in colour and texture during totality, while a telescope is best for observing detail and for astrophotography.
Find out more about this in our guide on how to photograph a lunar eclipse.
Although the totality phase is the drawcard for a total lunar eclipse, don't underestimate the penumbral and partial phases, which feature lots of contrast and drama.
Another underappreciated dimension of a total lunar eclipse is that the night sky significantly darkens during totality.
With moonlight effectively switched off, stars and faint constellations can be seen much more easily, as can the Milky Way.
During totality, a bright Mars will be close to the totally eclipsed Moon.
Northern lights
The Sun is currently in its solar maximum phase when it's highly active, so there is potential for geomagnetic activity during totality.
That will make possible displays of the Northern Lights, though if that is forecast, be sure to get to a dark sky.
Although the moon's glow will be dimmed for a few hours, urban light pollution will likely make any auroras virtually impossible to detect.
Check aurora forecasts on the night of the eclipse.
Partial Solar Eclipse on 29 March, 2025
Just two weeks after the total lunar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse will grace the skies.
On 29 March 2025, this event will be visible from northeastern North America, parts of Europe and the Arctic.
States like Maine and Massachusetts will experience a partially eclipsed sunrise, with the Moon covering up to 83% of the Sun.
In eastern Canada, Québec City will see 72% of the Sun obscured, while Newfoundland will reach 86%.
Observers in Europe, including the UK, will see the eclipse mid-morning, with coverage varying (London: 31%, Cardiff: 35% and Edinburgh: 41%).
All observers must use solar eclipse glasses or solar filters to safely view any part of the event.
If you observe or photograph any of 2025's eclipses, let us know! Get in touch by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
