A TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE / BLOOD MOON TAKING PLACE TOMORROW MORNING! - 14/03/2025
The early morning of the 14th of March will host a very special celestial event, a total lunar eclipse (aka a “Blood Moon”)!
However, the timing of the eclipse will unfortunately mean that for most of us in the UK we will not be able to witness the moment of greatest eclipse as this will occur after the moon has set. If you live on the far west of the UK however, you will stand a better chance of viewing the entire surface of the Moon entering the Earths umbral shadow. If you are lucky enough to be in North or South America you will be much better placed for the total lunar eclipse and will be able to enjoy the entirety of the occasion.
If you would like to know more about the total lunar eclipse including what is a lunar eclipse, why they are rare events, plus when and where to see the eclipse, please read on…
WHAT IS A LUNAR ECLIPSE/BLOOD MOON?
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth stands directly between the Moon and the Sun, which results in the Earth casting its shadow on the Moon. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is fully obscured by Earth’s shadow, giving the Moon a reddish hue. This phenomenon is where the term ‘Blood Moon’ comes from.
WHY ISN’T THERE A LUNAR ECLIPSE EVERY MONTH?
Simply put, the reason a Lunar Eclipse doesn’t occur every month is because the Earth and Moon orbit on slightly different orbital planes. Because the Moon's orbit is inclined by around 5 degrees to Earth’s orbit, it will often pass just above, or just below Earth's orbital plane. This means, that for the majority of the time, this small angle is enough to allow the Moon to miss the shadow cast by the Earth. It is only when there’s a straight line alignment between the Sun, Earth and Moon that a lunar eclipse occurs.
If the Moon travelled along exactly the same plane as the Earth, it would result in a lunar and solar eclipse every full Moon and new Moon phase of the lunar cycle.
*Please look at the attached image below which helps explain how Lunar eclipses occur.*
WHY DOES A LUNAR ECLIPSE / ‘BLOOD MOON’ LOOK RED?
The Moon appears red during a Lunar eclipse due to an effect caused by the Earth’s atmosphere.
Light travelling near the edge of our planet is refracted (or bent) to partly infill the umbra (some light is bent into the Earth’s shadow).
Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light (which creates our blue skies). This means the light that has passed through the atmosphere infilling the umbra, tends to be towards the redder end of the light spectrum. This gives the umbral shadow its red / orange colour.
When the Moon enters this shadow it is being illuminated by only this refracted red light, causing it to appear red.
WHERE TO LOOK TO SEE THE ECLIPSE
Look towards the West in the Early morning hours to spot the Moon approaching the horizon. The eclipse will begin as the Moon gets closer to the Western horizon.
WHEN WILL THE ECLIPSE OCCUR AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
For those of us in the UK, the eclipse will begin at around 03:57 when the Moon will start to enter the Earths faint outer shadow known as the penumbra. As the Moon enters the penumbra it will be very hard to recognise any change in the Moons appearance as the penumbral shadow is very faint, however when the Moon begins to enter the darker central umbral shadow of the Earth at 05:09 it will begin to darken noticeably.
From this moment it will take 1 hour and 17 minutes for the moon to fully enter the Earths umbral shadow and the Moon will reach totality at 06:26. At this moment in time for the majority of us in the UK the moon will be just about to completely set and the brightening morning skies will make it very hard to witness this eclipse. The times given here are for those of you in central UK and these times will vary depending on your location but are otherwise a good general guide.
Despite the unfavourable timing of the eclipse, if you can we recommend heading out in the early morning to try and witness this very special event.
WHERE WILL BE BEST TO VIEW THE ECLIPSE FROM?
We recommend finding a highly elevated view point with clear unobstructed views of the Western horizon, this will give you the best chance of viewing the eclipse. If you live on the West coast of the UK you will be better placed to view the eclipse as you will be able to see the Western horizon clearer and you will be able to witness the eclipse for a slightly longer period of time. If you happen to be in America, the event will take place at a much more accessible time, the moon will be much better placed for viewing during the eclipse and you will be able to witness the whole event.
WHAT ELSE IS IN THE NIGHT SKY THROUGHOUT MARCH?
If you would like to know more about the rest of the celestial treats that can be seen throughout March, please head to our YouTube channel to watch our Night Sky Guide video for March 2025.
CLOSING WORDS
Despite the inconvenient timing of the lunar eclipse occurring during moonset, this event will still be a very special one, and if you can we recommend heading out to try and witness the total lunar eclipse.
If you do head out to enjoy the lunar eclipse or to enjoy the night sky at any point in the near future, we wish you good luck and clear skies!
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