Astronomy

Blood moon returns to the US: How to view the total lunar eclipse tonight and best locations

The latest total lunar eclipse will be visible across all of the United States, although some locations are likely to offer better views than others.

Roddy Cons

Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.

Update: Mar 13th, 2025 11:48 EDT

Residents of the United States are in store for another astronomical treat thanks to a total lunar eclipse which will take place between March 13 and 14.

What is a ‘blood moon’ and how does it occur?

The upcoming phenomenon will feature what has been dubbed a ‘blood moon,’ with the moon to turn a deep shade of red rather than be completely hidden. That will be the result of the Earth making its way between the sun and moon, blocking the light from the former that normally illuminates the latter.

When will the total lunar eclipse take place?

Starting tonight, March 13 and continuing into the early hours of March 14, the umbra, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, will cover the moon during its brightest phase. This particular total lunar eclipse is expected to be visible across the entirety of the United States and the vast majority the Western Hemisphere.

According to NASA, the eclipse will begin tonight at 11:57 p.m ET / 8:57 p.m. PT on Thursday, March 13, with totality to occur at 2:26 a.m. ET (Friday, March 14) / 11:26 p.m. ET (March 13).

Totality, during which time the moon will be at its darkest, is expected to last for just over an hour, with the eclipse as a whole to take place over a period of approximately six hours (although it will be difficult to tell right at the beginning and the end).

The best places to see the ‘blood moon’ eclipse in the U.S.

In theory, you should be able to see the eclipse no matter where you are in the U.S., although cloud cover could prove restrictive. For that reason, it is believed western parts of the country, such as Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico, are likely to offer the best views as they typically have better chances of clear skies in March compared to other regions.

A rare Blood Moon will appear on the night of Thursday, March 13, into the early morning of March 14. This happens when Earth blocks the Sun, making the Moon look red. People in South America, Central America, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Spain will be able to see it.

(via… pic.twitter.com/4CNyJICgiJ
— Complex (@Complex) March 13, 2025

Astronomers recommend staying away from big cities, which often have high levels of light pollution, and going to high, dark places with no visual barriers.

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

The next total lunar eclipse will take place on September 7 this year but will only be visible in the U.S. in Hawaii and Alaska.

According to NASA, the next such event that will be visible across the majority of the United States is predicted for March 3, 2026.

The last “blood moon”

Space

First lunar eclipse of the year to take place later this week

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