### Why You Won’t Want to Miss the Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13-14, 2025

An extraordinary total lunar eclipse is scheduled to light up the night sky on March 13-14, 2025, and it will be observable throughout the entire contiguous United States and a large portion of the Americas. If you’re contemplating staying up to see it, here are the reasons why you should.

#### An Uncommon Celestial Phenomenon

Every total lunar eclipse is distinct. This implies that, weather allowing, you’ll be able to experience a truly singular occurrence.

A total lunar eclipse takes place when the **sun, Earth, and moon are in alignment**, leading to Earth casting a shadow over the moon and obstructing most sunlight. Nevertheless, Earth’s atmosphere permits red light wavelengths to come through, illuminating the moon in various shades of red, orange, or even rich crimson. The precise colors are influenced by atmospheric conditions and the depth of the moon’s transit through Earth’s shadow, rendering every eclipse a distinct adventure.

*”It’s all part of the excitement,”* remarks Bennett Maruca, an astronomer at the University of Delaware. *”You can never be sure of what you’ll see.”*

#### When to Tune In

The **total eclipse phase**—when the moon is entirely enveloped by Earth’s shadow—will commence at:

– **11:26 p.m. PDT on March 13, 2025**
– **2:26 a.m. EDT on March 14, 2025**
– **06:26 UTC**

Totality will persist for **65 minutes**, but the moon will start to take on a reddish hue over the course of several hours as it slowly enters Earth’s shadow. The eclipse officially kicks off with a gentle dimming at **8:57 p.m. PDT / 11:57 p.m. EDT / 03:57 UTC**.

#### What Influences the Moon’s Hue?

The moon’s appearance during a total lunar eclipse is shaped by two main elements:

1. **Earth’s Atmosphere**
The level of dust, clouds, and other particles in the atmosphere influences the amount of light that can reach the moon.

– An abundance of dust—like that from Sahara desert storms—can make the moon look **redder**.
– Volcanic activity can release ash and gas into the air, **reducing the brightness of the eclipse** by obstructing light.

*”Each total lunar eclipse is unique and ultimately ‘reflective’ of the current state of our planet’s weather,”* explains Eric Edelman, planetarium director at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

2. **The Moon’s Trajectory Through Earth’s Shadow**
The deepest region of Earth’s shadow, known as the **umbra**, affects the moon’s color:

– If the moon passes near the center of the umbra, it may exhibit **deep brown or purple shades**.
– If it stays closer to the outer edge, it will likely look **rusty orange**.

For the March 2025 eclipse, anticipate the moon showcasing **rusty and orange tones**, with certain parts appearing darker due to the way Earth’s shadow falls.

*”That’s one of the fascinating aspects of this eclipse,”* Maruca observes. *”You can see the spectrum of colors.”*

#### An Event Not to Be Missed

Experiencing the total lunar eclipse might necessitate staying up late or rising early, but it offers a **singular celestial spectacle**.

*”It can turn out to be quite astonishing,”* Maruca adds.

So, make a note in your calendar, check the weather update, and get ready to experience a stunning lunar metamorphosis in the night sky.