What time will Louisiana see the eclipse?

Louisiana Skywatchers, Get Ready for Some Eclipse Action!

Hey Louisiana stargazers! Get your calendars out because we’ve got some cool celestial events heading our way. Let’s talk eclipses – both the lunar and solar kind – and when you can catch them from right here in the Bayou State.

First up, mark your calendars for March 13-14, 2025. Why? Because we’re in for a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon! Now, this isn’t your everyday moon. It’s going to be something special. You know how sometimes the moon looks a little reddish? Well, during a total lunar eclipse, it can turn a deep, almost coppery red. It’s quite a sight! This happens because the Earth’s atmosphere bends the sunlight around our planet and onto the moon. The blue light gets scattered away, leaving mostly red light to give the moon that eerie glow.

So, when exactly should you be looking up? Here’s the timeline in Central Daylight Time (CDT) so you don’t miss a thing:

• Total Eclipse Kicks Off: 1:26 AM
• Maximum Eclipse (Peak Blood Moon): 1:58 AM
• Total Eclipse Wraps Up: 2:31 AM

Whether you’re in New Orleans, Lafayette, or chilling by the lake in Lake Charles, these times are pretty much spot-on. The whole show, from the moment the Earth’s shadow starts creeping across the moon until it’s all over, will take about three and a half hours. But the real magic, when the moon is completely bathed in that red glow, will last for about an hour, give or take. NASA says we’re talking roughly 65 minutes of total eclipse goodness!

Now, that’s not the only eclipse on the books. But not all eclipses are created equal, and not all of them are visible from Louisiana.

• March 29, 2025: Partial Solar Eclipse – Sadly, this one will be a no-show for us. It’ll be happening below the horizon in New Orleans. Bummer, right?
• Later in 2025: There’s another total lunar eclipse in September, but it’s going to be a treat for folks in Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe and Africa. We’ll have to sit this one out.
• March 3, 2026: Total Lunar Eclipse – Here’s some good news! We get another shot at seeing a total lunar eclipse from right here in Louisiana. Mark your calendars!
• Looking Ahead: The cosmos is always putting on a show. We’ve got more lunar and solar eclipses coming in the years ahead, including partial lunar eclipses on August 28, 2026, and February 21, 2027. Plenty more skywatching opportunities!

Okay, so how do you make the most of the March 2025 Blood Moon? The best part is you don’t need any fancy equipment. Just your eyes! But if you have binoculars or a telescope, definitely bring them out. They’ll give you an even better view of that crimson moon. If you’re into photography, grab your camera, a tripod, and play around with the settings. Night mode on your smartphone can work wonders these days, too. The reddest, most intense color will be between 1:26 AM and 2:31 AM, so that’s when you want to be locked and loaded.

Fingers crossed for clear skies! Keep an eye on the weather forecast as we get closer to the date. Nothing’s worse than a cloudy night when there’s a Blood Moon to be seen. Happy skywatching, y’all!