What Is a Blood Moon and When Does It Occur
A blood moon is the popular name for the total lunar eclipse phase when the Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow and takes on a reddish-copper hue. The next total lunar eclipse visible from parts of the Americas, Europe, and Africa is scheduled for March 13–14, 2025, with the peak totality occurring late in the evening for North American viewers NASA Lunar Eclipse Page.
NASA classifies lunar eclipses as total, partial, or penumbral based on how deeply the Moon enters Earth's shadow. Total eclipses, which produce the classic blood moon color, occur when the entire lunar disk crosses the umbra. Partial eclipses cover only a portion, while penumbral eclipses involve the faint outer shadow and are harder to notice.
How to Watch the Blood Moon and Where It Will Be Visible
Best Viewing Regions and Timing
The March 2025 total lunar eclipse will be visible across most of North America, South America, Western Europe, and West Africa, with the greatest eclipse occurring at 06:59 UTC on March 14 NASA Eclipse Website. Observers on the U.S. East Coast will see the Moon high in the western sky during totality, while viewers in Western Europe will catch the event earlier in the evening.
Preparation and Equipment
No special equipment is required to view a blood moon; the event is safe for naked-eye observation. Binoculars or a small telescope enhance the view of surface details and the subtle color gradient across the lunar disk. Clear skies, low light pollution, and an unobstructed western horizon improve visibility for early evening observers.
Blood Moon Eclipse Cycles, Saros Series, and Future Dates
Saros Series and Eclipse Frequency
Lunar eclipses occur in predictable cycles called Saros series, with each series lasting about 1,200 to 1,400 years and producing 70 to 80 eclipses. The March 2025 eclipse belongs to Saros 133, which began in 1797 and will produce its last total eclipse in 2159 NASA Saros Series 133. Total lunar eclipses happen roughly every 1.5 years on average, but visibility from any single location is less frequent.
Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipses
After the March 2025 blood moon, the next total lunar eclipse will occur on September 7, 2025, visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The following total lunar eclipse will be on March 3, 2026, favoring observers in the Americas, Europe, and western Africa Time and Date Eclipse Calendar. Each eclipse path shifts slightly due to the Moon's orbital inclination and nodal cycle.