A lunar eclipse will happen late Thursday and early Friday, with mostly clear skies in the forecast for much of Florida.

A stunning celestial spectacle is happening this week. A “blood moon” lunar eclipse will be visible for several hours late Thursday and into Friday morning as the sun, Earth, and moon align, causing the moon to fall fully into Earth’s shadow and turn deep shades of red.

Understanding Lunar Eclipses

A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun and the moon are positioned on opposite sides of the Earth, leading to the Earth blocking sunlight from reaching the moon. Instead, observers see the Earth’s shadow covering the moon.

What Makes It a Blood Moon?

A total lunar eclipse is often referred to as a “blood moon” because the moon takes on a reddish hue when it is shadowed by Earth. According to NASA, “During a lunar eclipse, the moon appears red or orange because any sunlight that’s not blocked by our planet is filtered through a thick slice of Earth’s atmosphere on its way to the lunar surface. It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon.”

Lunar Eclipse Timing and Visibility

The total lunar eclipse will take place on March 13-14, 2025, with the totality phase expected to last about 65 minutes. Time and Date indicates that phases of the eclipse will span over six hours. In the U.S., it begins around 11:57 p.m. EST on March 13, and reaches totality at approximately 2:30 a.m. EST before concluding around 6 a.m. EST on March 14.

Viewing Conditions Across Florida

Weather permitting, the eclipse will be visible throughout Florida and other regions of North America. As of now, forecasts suggest mostly clear skies for areas including Sarasota and Manatee Counties during this event.

Future Eclipses

The next total lunar eclipse observable from North America is expected on March 3, 2026. Astronomers and enthusiasts alike are encouraged to mark their calendars for this thrilling celestial event.