What time is the lunar eclipse in AZ?

Arizona Skywatchers, Get Ready for a Show! The Moon’s About to Turn Red!

Hey Arizona! Get your calendars out and mark this down: March 13th and 14th, 2025. Why? Because we’re in for a total lunar eclipse, visible right here in our beautiful state! You know, the kind where the moon turns all spooky-red? Yeah, a “blood moon.” Trust me, if the weather cooperates, you won’t want to miss this one.

So, When Exactly Do We Look Up?

Okay, here’s the deal. The eclipse action actually kicks off on Thursday night, March 13th, and bleeds into the wee hours of Friday, March 14th. I’m giving you the lowdown for Phoenix, so keep in mind it might be slightly different depending on where you are in Arizona, but this’ll get you in the ballpark:

• First Hint of Anything (Penumbral Eclipse Begins): 8:57 PM MST on March 13. Now, I’m not gonna lie, this part’s kinda subtle. The Earth’s penumbra – that’s the outer, fuzzy part of its shadow – starts to creep onto the Moon. Basically, the Moon just looks a little dimmer than usual. Don’t blink, or you might miss it!
• Things Get Interesting (Partial Eclipse Begins): 10:09 PM MST on March 13. Boom! Now we’re talking. This is when the Moon starts sliding into the Earth’s umbra, the really dark part of the shadow. You’ll see a dark shadow like something’s taking a bite out of the moon. Pretty cool, huh?
• Full-On Red Moon (Total Eclipse Begins): 11:26 PM MST on March 13. The moment we’ve been waiting for! The total lunar eclipse is on, and the moon should be looking all kinds of red. Fingers crossed for clear skies!
• Reddest of the Red (Maximum Eclipse): 11:58 PM MST on March 13. This is peak blood moon time. The Moon’s as close to the center of the Earth’s shadow as it’s gonna get, so the color should be the most intense.
• Coming Out of the Dark (Total Eclipse Ends): 12:31 AM MST on March 14. Okay, the total phase is wrapping up as the Moon starts heading out of the umbra. Still a great view, though!
• Shadow’s Gone (Partial Eclipse Ends): 1:47 AM MST on March 14. The dark shadow’s completely gone now. The Moon’s free!
• Fading Away (Penumbral Eclipse Ends): 3:00 AM MST on March 14. And…that’s all, folks! The eclipse is officially over as the Moon leaves that faint penumbral shadow. Time for bed!

Just a heads-up, if you’re way up north in, say, the Navajo Nation, which uses Mountain Daylight Time, things start an hour later. So, for you folks, the subtle dimming starts at 9:57 p.m. MDT on March 13, and you’ll see the full red show at 12:26 a.m. MDT on March 14.

Prime Viewing Spots?

When the show starts, look towards the east or southeast. As the night goes on and the moon hits its peak redness, it’ll be more in the south-southeast part of the sky. Find a spot where you can see the horizon clearly in those directions. The less light pollution, the better!

Why Does it Turn Red, Anyway?

Good question! It’s not like the Moon’s suddenly embarrassed. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon doesn’t vanish. Instead, it glows red or orange. Blame the Earth’s atmosphere for this cool effect. When sunlight passes through our air, all the colors scatter except red and orange. These colors bend around the Earth and land on the Moon, giving it that awesome “blood moon” look. Science is cool, right?

Pro Tips for Eclipse Watching:

• Weather, weather, weather! Seriously, check the forecast. Clouds are the enemy.
• Escape the city lights. The darker your location, the better the view.
• No fancy gear needed. You can totally see a lunar eclipse with your own two eyes. But, hey, binoculars or a small telescope can make it even more amazing.
• Patience is key. This is a slow burn. The whole thing takes hours, so get comfy and enjoy the ride!

So, there you have it! Mark your calendars, find a good spot, and hope for clear skies. This March 2025 lunar eclipse promises to be a night to remember here in Arizona. I’ll be out there with you, gazing up at the sky!