All About March's Rare Total Lunar Eclipse and How to See the Blood Moon

Eclipse season is upon us! The first total lunar eclipse of the year is set to be visible starting the evening of March 13 through the early morning of March 14.

According to NASA, lunar eclipses "occur when the Sun, Earth, and moon align so that the moon passes into Earth’s shadow." During a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes by the darkest part of Earth’s shadow known as the umbra and makes the moon appear a red-orange color, giving it the "blood moon" nickname.

Unlike a total solar eclipse — which can only be seen in certain locations for a few minutes — a total lunar eclipse is visible in the sky for a few hours and can be seen in larger parts of the world, per the National Weather Service. Lunar eclipses also occur more frequently than solar eclipses and are safe to view with the naked eye. That being said, this will be the first total lunar eclipse since November 2022, making it a rare celestial event.

In astrology, eclipses are known to bring plenty of change in a person's life and astrologer Valerie Mesa tells PEOPLE this lunar eclipse is "all about illumination and powerful endings," adding that "they’re known to shed light on what’s been hidden beneath the surface so we can purge and release what doesn’t serve us."

Here's everything you need to know about this upcoming total lunar eclipse, including where it will be visible.

Related: March's Full Blood Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse Brings Last-Minute Shakeups for 4 Zodiac Signs

When is the 2025 total lunar eclipse?

The first total lunar eclipse of the year will take place in the evening between March 13 and March 14.

Where will the total lunar eclipse be visible?

Per Space.com, the total lunar eclipse will be visible across North America — including all 50 states — South America, Europe, Africa and Oceania — which includes New Zealand.

Related: Spring's Eclipse Season Will Flip the Script for 4 Zodiac Signs, and Their Whole Life Is About to Change

What time does the total lunar eclipse start?

Getting a good glimpse at the total lunar eclipse will depend on your location. Per NASA, the lunar eclipse will begin at 11:57 p.m. EDT, and reach totality 2:26 a.m. The moon will stay in totality for a little over an hour, ending at 3:31 a.m. The lunar eclipse will then end at 6:00 a.m.

How do you watch the total lunar eclipse?

The total lunar eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye, unlike a solar eclipse which requires special glasses or other tools to safely view.

During the lunar eclipse, NASA recommends observing the eclipse in a dark spot away from bright lights and using binoculars or a telescope for the best view. While you're observing the lunar eclipse, stargazers may also be able to catch a glimpse at Jupiter and Mars in the western part of the night sky.

When is the next lunar eclipse?

The next total lunar eclipse will take place on Sept. 7 and NASA reports it is expected to be visible across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

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