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Total lunar eclipse September 2025: Live updates

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Stages of the total lunar eclipse show the moon turn a progressively red colour.

The next lunar eclipse will be a total lunar eclipse overnight on Sept. 7-8, 2025. It is the second total lunar eclipse of the year.

The total lunar eclipse will be visible over Europe, Africa, eastern Australia and New Zealand.

During a total lunar eclipse, the moon will appear to take on a red hue, giving rise to the "Blood Moon".

Watch online | How to photograph a lunar eclipse

One month to go: Are you ready for the total lunar eclipse?

With just one month to go until the total lunar eclipse, here's everything you need to know to make sure you are 'Blood Moon' ready.

gif animation showing the moon turn progressively red during a blood moon total lunar eclipse.

Where to see the blood moon total lunar eclipse

blood red moon during a total lunar eclipse next to a building with two statues on the roof

On March 13-14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across Earth's night side.

Although the point of greatest eclipse will be in the Pacific Ocean, North America and South America will get the best views. Some areas of Europe will get a slight view of the moonset, and East Asia will glimpse the spectacle at moonrise.

What will happen during the total lunar eclipse of March 2025?

composite image showing the stages of a total lunar eclipse with the moon turning progressively more red as Earth's shadow sweeps across it.

Observers across most of the United States will have front-row seats to the spectacular total lunar eclipse overnight on March 13-14.

The viewing circumstances for the total eclipse of the full moon that night will be as good as it can get for much of the United States and Canada. The western part of the continent has the best view, but the spectacle of the moon completely immersed in the Earth's shadow will be readily visible from coast to coast.

The duration of totality will be longer than normal, lasting 1 hour and 6 minutes.

This week's 'blood moon' eclipse mirrors one Christopher Columbus used to scare indigenous people in 1504

image of a blood red moon during a total lunar eclipse on the left and a sketch of columbus pointing up at the eclipse with frightened people around him.

On March 13-14, 2025, skywatchers in the Americas will witness a total lunar eclipse that mirrors one Christopher Columbus is said to have used to his advantage over five centuries ago.

In 1504, Christopher Columbus, on his fourth trans-Atlantic voyage, was stranded on the shores of Jamaica, with his ships crawling with marine worms and his crew hungry. The Indigenous Arawak people, who had initially welcomed the Europeans, had grown weary of their demands.

But Columbus had a trick up his sleeve: According to The Guardian, he consulted his astronomical tables and saw that a total lunar eclipse was imminent on March 1, 1504.

How do solar-powered moon probes survive a total lunar eclipse?

the LRO probe flying above the surface of the moon with a cratered backdrop of the moon in the background.

When the moon falls into Earth's shadow Thursday night into Friday (March 13-14), observers will be treated to views of a "blood moon" total lunar eclipse. But given that lunar spacecraft are solar-powered, how do they survive when they're cut off from the sun?

For NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been orbiting the moon since 2009, it will be time to batten down the hatches.

Continue reading: There's a total lunar eclipse coming. How will these 2 solar-powered moon probes survive the darkness?

Why does the moon turn red during a total lunar eclipse?

A total lunar eclipse happens when a full moon moves through Earth's umbra, its dark shadow in space. As it does so, something spectacular happens: The entire moon turns reddish — an event that's often called a "blood moon."

Patient observers can watch this process happening as the gray full moon gradually turns red; displays ever-changing reddish, pinkish and orange hues for a short period; and then slowly returns to normal as it exits Earth's shadow.

But what are the physics behind this stunning event? Here's why the moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse.

What do lunar eclipses teach us about Earth?

graphic showing Earth in the background and a illustration of a lightbulb with a lunar eclipse inside it.

While eclipses might've inspired fear in many ancient civilizations, they also inspired scientific discovery. "In ancient Greece, philosophers realized that the Earth is round because the shape of the Earth's shadow on the moon is always curved during an eclipse," Christine Shupla, education manager at the Lunar Planetary Institute, told Space.com. "This is perhaps one of the best-known discoveries from lunar eclipses."

It may look spooky, but a blood moon is just a trick of the light

sequence of images showing the moon turn progressively more red.

A "blood moon" happens when Earth's moon is in a total lunar eclipse. While it has no special astronomical significance, the view in the sky is striking as the usually whitish moon becomes red or ruddy brown.

Read more: What is a blood moon?

Make sure you're in the right place at the right time tonight!

graphic illustrating what time the total lunar eclipse on March 13 will occur.

A dramatic total lunar eclipse will turn the moon blood red for millions across North America TONIGHT! Here are the best times to watch the show unfold.

'Blood Worm Moon' US weather forecast: Best places to see tonight's total lunar eclipse

a composite image showing eight different views of the moon becoming darker and more shadowed during a total lunar eclipse

As far as viewing prospects for tonight's total eclipse of the moon are concerned, it would appear that three-quarters of the nation will have at least some occasional views of the moon plunging through Earth's dark shadow. The period of total eclipse will begin at 2:26 a.m. Eastern Time early Friday morning, which corresponds to 11:26 p.m. Pacific time late this evening or 0626 GMT. Totality will last 66 minutes.

The total lunar eclipse of March 2025 has begun!

The moon has started moving into Earth's penumbra, the faint outer part of its shadow. This shadow is so subtle that it remains invisible until the moon is deeply immersed, so we'll have to wait about 50 minutes to notice any change.

The penumbral shadow is beginning to appear!

Now the moon has progressed far enough into the penumbra that it should be visible on the moon's disk. Start looking for a very subtle light shading to appear on the moon's left portion. This will become increasingly evident as the minutes pass, the shading appearing to spread and deepen.

The moon begins to enter Earth's dark central shadow

close up view of the moon with a shadow in the bottom left corner

The moon is now entering the umbra, Earth's dark central shadow. You'll see a dark scallop beginning to appear on the moon's lower lefthand (southeastern) limb. The partial phase of the eclipse is now underway -- Daisy Dobrijevic

Our eyes on the ground spy a lunar eclipse!

close up view of lunar eclipse show shadow moving across lunar surface.

Landscape astrophotographer Josh Dury is in Scotland on the hunt for a total lunar eclipse! Dury is already getting some beautiful views of the lunar eclipse as Earth's shadow begins to move across the lunar surface. What a view! -- Daisy Dobrijevic

Into the darkness...

The moon is now deep into the partial phase of the total lunar eclipse, growing progressively darker as we watch. Totality begins at 2:26 a.m. EDT (0626 GMT).

Earth's shadow is now eclipsing about 75% of the moon's surface

With the eclipse in full swing, take a look at the shadowed portion of the moon — it should start to faintly glow. This reveals that the umbral shadow isn't complete darkness after all. -- Daisy Dobrijevic

Totality is just a few minutes away!

The very last portion of the moon is now entering the umbra, Earth's darkest shadow. This period of the eclipse will last approximately 65 minutes, so you have ample time to soak in the dramatic view of the "Blood Worm Moon".

Totality has begun!

The "Blood Moon" total phase of the lunar eclipse will last approximately 65 minutes — so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

The moon is turning a deep red

deep red moon during the total lunar eclipse

Wow! The moon is turning a deep rusty red color. We can see it clearly here in this photo captured from Mexico City by Yuri Cortez.

Maximum eclipse is underway

We are now in the middle of totality, with the moon shining anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times fainter than it was just a couple of hours ago. Observers may notice a greater number of stars in the sky than were visible earlier on that night. -- Daisy Dobrijevic

End of totality

The moon has begun emerging from Earth's shadow and will continue to do so until 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT), marking the end of the total lunar eclipse. We'll keep bringing you stunning views and a roundup featuring some of the best eclipse photos. Stay tuned!

Moon starts to shine once more

The moon is starting to move out of Earth's dark inner shadow and starting to brighten again.

It's photo time! Check out the best photos from the "Blood Worm Moon" total lunar eclipse

sequence of images of the lunar eclipse over a castle

If you didn't manage to see the total lunar eclipse or if you just want to relive the show all over again, we've rounded up some of the best "Blood Worm Moon" photos from across North America and beyond. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

An image of the lunar eclipse of July 16, 2000.

Good news eclipse chasers! You don't have to wait too long to see another total lunar eclipse.

The next total lunar eclipse will occur overnight on Sept. 7-8 and be visible over Europe, Africa, eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Read more about where and when to see the next "blood moon" with our comprehensive total lunar eclipse September 2025 guide.

One month to go until the total lunar eclipse!

a red blood moon hangs low in the sky during a total lunar eclipse. An adult and two children stand below silhouetted against the dark sky.

In just one month, a dramatic "blood moon" will take to the sky.

Skywatchers across Asia and Western Australia will get the best view of the Sept. 7 total lunar eclipse from start to finish, but those in Europe, Africa, eastern Australia and New Zealand may still catch a glimpse of the moon during some of the eclipse phases, including totality.

Less than one week to go until the blood moon transforms September's sky

Get ready stargazers!

In just one week, Earth's shadow will roll across the lunar surface, giving rise to a spectacular 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7-8.

We're ready, are you?

How does Earth's atmosphere turn the moon red during a lunar eclipse?

Three moons are shown overlapping each other against a black sky. The left moon is the usual grey color, while the next two transition to a red hue.

Ever wondered why the moon takes on a rusty hue during totality?

Check out our guide detailing the science behind a total lunar eclipse to discover how a quirk of Earth's atmosphere turns the lunar surface blood red as it slips into the deepest part of Earth's shadow, known as the umbra.

Who will see the September 2025 blood moon eclipse?

two people stand and look at the blood moon lunar eclipse on the right.

The Sept. 7-8 blood moon total lunar eclipse is just a few days away, but your ability to witness it will depend entirely on your location!

Check out our article detailing from where the blood moon is visible to see if you'll have a clear view of totality, or any of the other myriad phases of the September 2025 total lunar eclipse.

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