What time is the lunar eclipse tonight?

Get Ready to Look Up! A Lunar Eclipse is Coming (Eventually!)

Okay, stargazers, listen up! So, there’s no lunar eclipse happening tonight, bummer, I know. But don’t despair! We’ve got some awesome celestial events to look forward to in 2025. And trust me, they’re worth the wait.

Circle Those Dates: Lunar Eclipse Time!

Mark September 7, 2025, in BIG letters on your calendar. That’s when the next total lunar eclipse is going to grace our skies. Now, if you’re hanging out in central Africa, eastern Europe, eastern Asia, Japan, Indonesia, or even Down Under in Australia, you’re in for a real treat. You’ll have the best seat in the house! The cool part? The total eclipse – when the Moon’s completely shadowed – will last for a whopping 83 minutes. That’s a seriously long time for a lunar eclipse, putting it up there with some of the longest ones ever!

Lunar Eclipse 101: What’s the Big Deal?

Ever wondered what a lunar eclipse actually is? Simple! It’s when our own planet, Earth, slides right between the Sun and the Moon, basically throwing a massive shadow party on the Moon’s surface. And when the Moon goes completely into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra? Boom! Total lunar eclipse.

Why Does the Moon Turn All Spooky Red?

Okay, this is the coolest part. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon often turns this incredible reddish color. That’s why they call it a “Blood Moon,” which, let’s be honest, sounds way more dramatic than “lunar eclipse.” So, what’s the deal with the red? Well, it’s all thanks to sunlight doing its thing as it passes through Earth’s atmosphere. Our atmosphere is like a filter, scattering away all the blue light (think of why the sky is blue!), leaving the red light to bend around and reach the Moon. It’s the same reason sunsets are red! Pretty neat, huh?

Eclipse Mania: 2025 is Going to Be Epic!

Hold on to your hats, folks, because 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for eclipse lovers. We’re talking a grand total of four eclipses: two solar and two lunar. Talk about a celestial jackpot!

• March 13-14, 2025: Total Lunar Eclipse. Get ready for another “Blood Moon,” this time putting on a show for North and South America! I remember seeing one a few years back, and it was seriously breathtaking. Here’s when you can catch it, depending on where you are in the US:

  • West Coast (Pacific Time): Get your coffee ready! The show starts late, with the first hints of the eclipse (the “penumbral” phase) kicking off around 8:57 p.m. PDT on March 13. Things get interesting around 10:09 p.m. PDT when the partial phase begins, and full-on totality hits at 11:26 p.m. PDT.
  • Mountain Time: Same deal, just adjust for your time zone. Penumbral phase at 9:57 p.m. MDT on March 13, partial phase at 11:09 p.m. MDT, and totality at 12:26 a.m. MDT on March 14.
  • Central Time: Okay, Central folks, you’re up next! Penumbral phase at 10:57 p.m. CDT on March 13, partial phase at 12:09 a.m. CDT on March 14, and totality at 1:26 a.m. CDT.
  • East Coast (Eastern Time): Last but not least, the East Coast! Penumbral phase at 11:57 p.m. EDT on March 13, partial phase at 1:09 a.m. EDT on March 14, and totality at 2:26 a.m. EDT.

• March 29, 2025: Partial Solar Eclipse. Keep your eyes peeled, because if you’re in the Northeast US or Canada, you might just catch a glimpse of a partial solar eclipse. Fingers crossed for clear skies!

• September 7-8, 2025: Total Lunar Eclipse. Remember that awesome total lunar eclipse I mentioned earlier? The one that’s perfect for those in the Eastern Hemisphere? Yeah, that one!

• September 21, 2025: Partial Solar Eclipse. And rounding out the year, a partial solar eclipse will be putting on a show over the South Pacific and Southern Oceans.

How to Watch the Lunar Show (Like a Pro!)

Here’s the best part about lunar eclipses: you don’t need any fancy equipment! Seriously, just your eyeballs. Unlike solar eclipses (don’t ever look directly at the sun without proper eye protection!), lunar eclipses are totally safe to watch with the naked eye. Just find a spot away from city lights where you can see as much of the sky as possible, and look up! If you’ve got binoculars or a telescope, awesome, use ’em! But they’re definitely not required.

So, keep an eye on the weather forecast as those dates get closer, and get ready to be amazed by the incredible dance of the Sun, Earth, and Moon! You won’t regret it.