On the night of March 13, 2025, skywatchers across the Americas were treated to a mesmerizing celestial event known as the “Blood Moon.” This occurs during a total lunar eclipse, where the moon takes on captivating shades of red, orange, and yellow as it passes through Earth’s shadow.

The lunar eclipse was expected to be visible late Thursday evening through the early hours of Friday morning, varying by time zone. This event, referred to as the “Worm Moon” by the Farmer’s Almanac, adds a unique layer of tradition and significance to the spectacle.

What Causes the Reddish Hue of the Moon?

The striking red color of the moon during a Blood Moon is the result of a total lunar eclipse. During this period, Earth aligns precisely between the sun and the moon. This alignment blocks the majority of sunlight from reaching the moon, but some light still filters through Earth’s atmosphere.

As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, it undergoes refraction — the longer wavelengths of light, mainly reds and oranges, manage to reach the moon’s surface. According to NASA, these longer wavelengths withstand the passage through a thicker slice of the atmosphere more effectively than shorter wavelengths like blue, which are scattered away.

Defining the “Blood Moon”

The term “Blood Moon” specifically refers to the reddish appearance that the moon exhibits during a total lunar eclipse. This phenomenon occurs predominantly when the moon is closer to the outer edges of Earth’s shadow, producing a spectrum of colors that intensifies as the moon traverses into the darkest part of the shadow.

What Triggers a Blood Moon?

A Blood Moon emerges when the sun, Earth, and moon are perfectly aligned. As sunlight refracts through Earth’s atmosphere, only the longer wavelengths of light, which appear reddish, are reflected off the moon. This interplay creates the dramatic visual effect that captures the attention of astronomers and casual observers alike.

Timing of the March 2025 Blood Moon

The latest Blood Moon event commenced late Thursday night, with the most favorable conditions for viewing the unique hue expected around 3 a.m. ET on Friday. Observers had the opportunity to witness this extraordinary natural occurrence in various locations across the Western Hemisphere.