Stargazers across North America are in for a spectacular treat: a deep, long-lasting total lunar eclipse will turn the moon blood red early Tuesday, March 3, 2025, with totality lasting a full hour and 40 minutes, one of the longest of the century.
The eclipse peaks between 4:26 a.m. and 5:25 a.m. Eastern Time (2:26 a.m. to 3:25 a.m. Mountain Time), when the moon will sit almost perfectly centered in Earth’s dark umbral shadow, creating an unusually dark and dramatic “blood moon” that NASA says will appear deep orange-red to the naked eye.
Best Viewing Times Across the U.S. and Canada
The entire eclipse spans more than five hours, but the main event is during totality:
- Penumbral eclipse begins: 12:09 a.m. EST
- Partial eclipse begins: 1:09 a.m. EST
- Total eclipse begins: 2:26 a.m. EST
- Maximum eclipse: 2:56 a.m. EST
- Total eclipse ends: 3:25 a.m. EST
- Partial eclipse ends: 4:25 a.m. EST
- Penumbral eclipse ends: 5:25 a.m. EST
Every province in Canada, all 50 U.S. states, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and most of South America will see the full eclipse, weather permitting. Europe, Africa, and much of Asia will catch the early stages at moonset.
Why This Blood Moon Is Extra Special
NASA eclipse expert Fred Espenak calls this event “exceptional” because the moon passes very close to the center of Earth’s shadow. The closer to the center, the darker and redder the moon becomes.
Only three total lunar eclipses will be longer this century, and the next time the moon lines up this perfectly won’t happen again until New Year’s Eve 2028.
This is the last total lunar eclipse visible from the United States until March 2026.
Where to Watch for the Clearest Views
City lights and mountains can block low horizons, so experts recommend heading to open areas.
In Colorado, physics instructor Garrison Turner at Colorado Mesa University suggests driving west of Grand Junction along I-70 to escape the Colorado National Monument’s silhouette.
Similar advice applies nationwide: find east-facing hills, beaches, or rural fields away from light pollution. The moon will be low in the western sky during totality, so any obstruction hurts the view.
Weather Outlook Across Major Cities
Clouds could play spoiler in parts of the country:
- Clear skies expected: Pacific Northwest, California, Southwest, Texas, Florida
- Partly to mostly cloudy: Midwest, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic
- Mostly cloudy with possible breaks: Northeast, Great Lakes
Apps like Clear Outside and the National Weather Service’s hourly cloud forecast are updating in real time for eclipse chasers.
How to Photograph the Blood Moon Like a Pro
You don’t need fancy gear. Thousands of stunning images every eclipse come from smartphones.
Quick tips from NASA photographers:
- Use a tripod or steady surface
- Turn on night mode and lock exposure on the moon
- For telescopes or zoom lenses, shoot at ISO 400-800, 1/125 second during totality
- Take a series of shots at different exposures to capture Earthshine on the dark side
The blood moon pairs perfectly with foreground silhouettes: think city skylines, mountains, or even your own backyard tree.
This celestial show needs no tickets, no glasses, and no reservations. Just step outside, look west, and let one of nature’s greatest performances remind us how small we are under the same sky.
The moon has turned red for every civilization in history. Tonight, it does it again, just for us.
What did the blood moon look like from your spot? Drop a photo or your thoughts in the comments below, and share this moment with #BloodMoon2025!
