How to observe the total lunar eclipse, known as the 'Blood Moon,' occurring this week.

      During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon takes on a reddish hue due to sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere.

      This week presents a unique cosmic event for skywatchers in North America and various regions worldwide, as a total lunar eclipse will be observable from the night of March 13 to 14. On Thursday night, if the weather is clear, you’ll have the chance to witness this magnificent lunar event, either by looking at it directly or using a telescope or binoculars.

      A total lunar eclipse happens when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, resulting in Earth’s shadow blocking light from the Moon. As the Moon enters Earth’s shadow, it will slowly darken, transforming from bright white to orange or deep red. This color change is the reason for the other term used for lunar eclipses: Blood Moons.

      A video from NASA illustrates the view you can expect during the lunar eclipse, produced by Ernie Wright from NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio:

      It’s advisable to take the time to observe this eclipse since it’s a rare event. “Don’t miss this disappearing act, as it’s the first total lunar eclipse visible anywhere since November 2022,” recommends Diana Hannikainen, Editor in Chief at Sky & Telescope. “A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and a full Moon align closely in space, a phenomenon known as syzygy.”

      To find out when the eclipse will be visible in your area, you can refer to this map created by NASA, showing where the lunar eclipse on March 13-14, 2025 can be seen. The contours indicate the limits of visibility at specific eclipse contact times, marked in UTC.

      The period of totality, during which the Moon is entirely covered, will last for 66 minutes, providing ample time to witness the event. It's beneficial to look up in the hours before totality to notice the Moon beginning to dim and a “chunk” disappearing as Earth’s shadow encroaches. Similarly, after totality, you can watch the Moon brighten again.

      For the best viewing experience, choose a location with minimal light pollution, and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness by avoiding your phone's screen. Utilizing a telescope or binoculars will enhance the visibility and detail of the eclipse. Additionally, while the eclipse is in progress, look westward to observe Jupiter and Mars, which will stand out more brightly without the Moon's illumination.

      Georgina has served as a space writer at Digital Trends for six years, focusing on human space exploration and planetary topics.

      China's Chang'e 6 mission, which successfully landed on the Moon this past weekend, has gathered lunar surface samples and is now on its way back to Earth with the samples for analysis, as reported by China's state news agency.

      This week's total solar eclipse captivated audiences across North America. However, it was not just Earthbound observers who enjoyed this celestial event; astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) also witnessed a stunning view of the eclipse, with NASA sharing images showing what it looked like from space. The Moon’s shadow, or umbra, on Earth was visible from the ISS as it passed into the solar eclipse's path above southeastern Canada on April 8, 2024.

      The eagerly awaited total solar eclipse on April 8 has already taken place. The brief moment when the Moon obscured the Sun, casting a large shadow over parts of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, triggered excitement among millions on that Monday afternoon. Many of those spectators are likely already pondering the date of the next solar eclipse as they consider traveling to distant locations to experience this extraordinary cosmic event once more. Those unable to witness Monday’s total solar eclipse will be interested in learning about the next one, hoping it may be easier to access.