March’s full “Blood Worm Moon” will appear tonight, thanks to a phenomenon that makes the moon look red during a total lunar eclipse. While millions of eyes will be staring to the skies to see the moon pass into the Earth’s shadow, will the weather keep us from being able to see the big show? Clouds and stormy weather could block the view for some, but forecasters say there should be some prime spots across the country for viewing as well.
“The good news is the total lunar eclipse will last for more than an hour, much longer than the total solar eclipse last April, which lasted less than five minutes along the path of totality,” AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada explains. “You only need a few breaks in the clouds to witness the total lunar eclipse.”
Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s lunar eclipse:
- In the early hours of Friday morning, the Earth will pass between the sun and the moon, giving us a total lunar eclipse.
- When the Earth blocks the sun’s light, the moon will appear to be a dark reddish-orange, giving it the nickname “blood moon.”
- It will be viewable anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, as long as the skies are clear.
- According to AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines, the worst places to see the eclipse will likely be the far West part of the U.S., the Rocky Mountains, and the north-central U.S., where extensive cloud cover is expected.
- Experts say the best weather conditions to enjoy the total lunar eclipse are expected from Texas to the Ohio Valley, as well as south Florida.
- As for the timing, the moon will start to look a little different just before midnight EDT and the eclipse will start just after 1 a.m. ET.
- Totality happens between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. ET, with the peak viewing opportunity for the red moon happening around 2:55 a.m., according to NASA.
- This is one of two total lunar eclipses this year, but it’s the only one visible from North America.
- The next one we’ll see in the U.S. will be in March 2026.
Source: USA Today
Scott's Thoughts:
- Guess I’m going to miss this one, if I wake up to see it, I’ll never get back to sleep!
- I have seen some amazing moonlight in my lifetime. I did morning radio for almost 20 years leaving home at 4:30 in the morning and driving to work gave me views of full moons and Mars, Jupiter and Saturn at their brightest.
- I don't have a telescope anymore. Had one for my kids when they were little and it got broken pretty quick.