Skywatchers across the Caribbean and much of North and South America are in for a treat on 13-14 March 2025, as a total lunar eclipse will grace the night sky. This celestial spectacle, often dubbed a “blood moon,” will be visible from virtually all Caribbean islands, providing a safe and captivating viewing experience for all.
Unlike solar eclipses, which require special eye protection, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to observe with the naked eye. According to Space.com, this particular eclipse will be especially leisurely, lasting a total of six hours from start to finish.
Here’s a breakdown of the key times (in Eastern Daylight Time – EDT):
• 11:57pm EDT on 13 March – 6am EDT on 14 March: The eclipse will be ongoing, with the moon gradually moving into Earth’s shadow.
• 2:26am EDT – 3:31am EDT: This is the period of totality, when the moon will be completely submerged within Earth’s shadow, taking on that distinctive reddish tint.
For viewers in other time zones, these times translate to 03:57 UTC – 10:00 UTC, with totality occurring between 06:26 UTC – 07:31 UTC.
Space.com explains that this event marks the first total lunar eclipse since 2022. During a lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks the sun’s light from reaching the moon directly. As sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, the blue and green wavelengths get scattered more than red wavelengths, casting a reddish glow onto the moon’s surface – hence the name “blood moon.”
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Space
11 March 2025