What Is the Blood Moon March 2025
The March 2025 blood moon refers to the total lunar eclipse occurring on March 14, 2025. During this event, Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that turns the lunar surface a reddish hue. The eclipse is part of the Saros 133 series and follows the same mechanics explained by NASA's eclipse bulletin. Observers in the Americas, Europe, and western Africa will see the Moon enter the penumbra first, followed by the darker umbral shadow.
NASA's official eclipse page provides precise coordinates and contact times for every phase of the March 14 event, including the start of the partial eclipse, totality, and the end of the umbral shadow. The total phase lasts approximately 65 minutes, making it a prominent target for both amateur astronomers and professional observatories. The eclipse magnitude is 1.18, meaning the Moon passes well into the central part of Earth's shadow.
Blood Moon March 2025 Date, Time, and Visibility
The March 14, 2025 total lunar eclipse begins at 00:09 UTC with the penumbral phase, while the partial eclipse starts at 01:09 UTC. Totality begins at 02:26 UTC and ends at 03:31 UTC, with the partial phase concluding at 04:47 UTC and the penumbral eclipse ending at 05:47 UTC. These times are based on the latest data from the U.S. Naval Observatory, which maintains authoritative eclipse records.
Visibility is strongest across the Western Hemisphere, with North and South America seeing the entire event high in the night sky. Europe and western Africa will catch the later stages, while eastern Asia will see the Moon already set or not yet risen during key phases. Weather permitting, the eclipse will be observable from major cities including New York, Los Angeles, São Paulo, London, and Madrid, according to timeanddate.com's interactive eclipse map.
How to Watch the Blood Moon March 2025
No special equipment is required to view the March 2025 blood moon, though binoculars or a small telescope enhance surface detail during the reddish phase. The best viewing locations are away from city lights with an unobstructed horizon, such as parks or elevated terrain. Live streams from observatories like Griffith Observatory and the Virtual Telescope Project will broadcast the event globally for viewers who cannot see it in person.
For photographers, the eclipse offers a rare opportunity to capture the Moon's color shift using a tripod, telephoto lens, and manual exposure settings. The reddish tint during totality is caused by Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon that produces red sunrises and sunsets, as described by the European Space Agency's educational resources. Additional viewing guides and real-time updates are available on the official eclipse pages maintained by NASA and timeanddate.com.