Rare Blood Moon to Rise During Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13-14
A rare celestial event is set to captivate sky watchers across the Western Hemisphere as a ‘Blood Moon’ rises during the total lunar eclipse on the late hours of March 13. The lunar eclipse is expected to peak at 2:59 a.m. EDT on March 14, as the moon is completely engulfed in Earth’s deepest and darkest shadow, known as the umbra.
This stunning phenomenon will cause a striking red “Blood Moon” to appear overnight from March 13 to dawn on March 14 for millions in North America, spanning across the Western Hemisphere. While this lunar event will be visible in some form across all states in North America, partial regions of South America, as well as parts of Europe and Africa, observers in India will unfortunately miss out on this spectacle.
With the Earth, sun, and moon perfectly aligned, the total lunar eclipse occurs as the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, creating the mesmerizing red or reddish-orange glow known as the “Blood Moon.” This captivating sight is a result of the Earth aligning perfectly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow and tinting the lunar surface with its distinct hue.
While the western part of the continent will have the best view, the moon completely immersed in Earth’s shadow will be visible from coast to coast. The totality of the eclipse will last longer than usual, lasting 1 hour and 6 minutes, with the total lunar eclipse spanning a duration of six hours and three minutes.
NASA has also noted that sky watchers in the United States will have to wait until March 2026 to witness a total lunar eclipse. This rare celestial event is sure to leave a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to witness the ‘Blood Moon’ rising during the total lunar eclipse.
