Millions across the United States will be able to watch a rare total lunar eclipse when the full moon slips behind the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow, or umbra, in March.
Referred to as a “blood moon” because of its reddish and orange hue, this is North America’s one and only total lunar eclipse of 2025, according to NASA. Local astronomy experts say Indiana should have a good view of the eclipse so long as the weather cooperates and Hoosiers don’t mind staying up late to see it.
Here’s what you should know about the lunar eclipse happening soon.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse is an alignment of the Earth, moon and sun where the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, or umbra. As it does, the moon will appear to darken and take on a crimson shade of red.
When is the March 2025 total lunar eclipse?
The moon will pass through Earth’s shadow and appear red the night of Thursday, March 13, into the early morning of Friday, March 14, 2025.
Story continues after photo gallery.
What time can you watch the total lunar eclipse in Indiana?
You might need an extra cup of coffee (or two, or three) if you plan on catching the total lunar eclipse in Indiana. Dr. Aarran Shaw, who serves as director of Holcomb Observatory and teaches Physics and Astronomy at Butler University, says this year’s rare lunar moment is for night owls.
“The partial phase will begin at 1:09 a.m. EST and totality will start at 2:26 a.m. and last for over an hour, much longer than the solar eclipse last year,” Shaw told IndyStar. “This is probably our best shot at taking in the full glory of a total lunar eclipse for a while, simply because of the altitude of the moon during totality — more than 50 degrees above the horizon.”
A total lunar eclipse, with the moon appearing red in color, is seen in Japan on Aug. 28, 2007.
Shaw said the next total lunar eclipse for Indiana isn’t scheduled until early March 2026 and might be difficult to watch because of how close it will be to the horizon.
“After 2026, the next total lunar eclipse visible from Indiana won’t be until 2029 — again close to the horizon,” he said.
What will you see during the total lunar eclipse?
From start to finish, a total lunar eclipse is a magnificent sight to behold. Here’s what Hoosiers will be seeing during the event, writes NASA:
11:57 p.m., Penumbral eclipse begins: The moon enters the Earth’s penumbra, the outer part of the shadow. The moon begins to dim, but the effect is quite subtle.
1:09 a.m., Partial eclipse begins: The moon begins to enter Earth’s umbra and the partial eclipse begins. To the naked eye, as the moon moves into the umbra, it looks like a bite is being taken out of the lunar disk. The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark.
2:26 a.m., Totality begins: The entire moon is now in the Earth’s umbra. The moon is tinted a coppery red. Try binoculars or a telescope for a better view. If you want to take a photo, use a camera on a tripod with exposures of at least several seconds.
3:31 a.m., Totality ends: As the moon exits Earth’s umbra, the red color fades. It looks as if a bite is being taken out of the opposite side of the lunar disk from before.
4:47 a.m., Partial eclipse ends: The whole moon is in Earth’s penumbra, but again, the dimming is subtle.
6 a.m., Penumbral eclipse ends: The eclipse is over.
Yeah, but what about Central Indiana’s weather? Will skies be clear?
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has yet to issue a forecast on what skies will be like in Central Indiana on March 13-14. AccuWeather, however, predicts the total lunar eclipse might get rained out with overcast skies and steady rain Thursday evening. Despite the less than rosy forecast from AccuWeather, our Midwest weather could always surprise us.
“We need the weather to cooperate with us on this one, as with all astronomical events, so keep your fingers crossed,” Shaw said.
Why does the moon turn red during a total lunar eclipse?
During a total lunar eclipse the moon appears red, but why? According to NASA, that’s because of how sunlight strikes the moon’s surface after passing through our atmosphere.
Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange, writes NASA. The more dust or clouds in Earth’s atmosphere during a lunar eclipse, the redder the moon appears.
The process occurs regularly on Earth with every dawn and dusk, explains Shaw.
“This reddish color comes from the Sun’s light being refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere such that only the red portion of the rainbow falls on the Moon,” Shaw said. “This is actually the same physical process that causes the sky to be red at sunrise and sunset.”
When is Indiana’s next total lunar eclipse?
The next total lunar eclipse in North America will be March 3, 2026.
More about full moons in 2025: When every full moon shines in 2025. Dates, times and the history behind each name.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: When is the March 2025 total lunar eclipse? How to see it in Indiana
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