Following an action-packed year of astronomical phenomena, such as the solar eclipse and the Northern Lights visible in the sky, yet another astronomical event is coming soon: the total lunar eclipse in 2025. Scheduled to take place over the night from Thursday, March 13, to Friday, March 14, the eclipse will be viewable throughout the United States, including the Shenango and Mahoning valleys. But whether people in the area will be able to see the eclipse is still up to the weather.
What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned so that the moon enters Earth’s shadow. When there is a total lunar eclipse, the whole moon enters the innermost region of Earth’s shadow, and it becomes a deep red-orange color, sometimes called a “blood moon.” This red color is produced because sunlight is scattered through Earth’s atmosphere at many different angles, NASA explains.
How to Observe the Eclipse?
In contrast to a solar eclipse, for which you’ll need special glasses, a lunar eclipse is possible to see without them. With a telescope or good binoculars, however, you’ll have an even better view. NASA recommends that you view the western sky around dawn Thursday morning through Friday to view the eclipse.
Here’s the timeline for the phases of the eclipse:
- First Stage (11:57 p.m.): The moon reaches the outer portion of Earth’s shadow, which will be weak at first.
- Second Stage (1:09 a.m.): The start of the partial eclipse, as the moon will begin to resemble a bite being taken out of it.
- Third Stage (2:26 a.m.): Totality commences, and the moon will begin to change to a “coppery red.”
- Fourth Phase (3:31 a.m.): The totality finishes, and the red hue begins to pale since the moon has started moving away from the shadow.
- Final Phase (6 a.m.): The eclipse comes to an end.
- The best time to watch should be during the period 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. to view the moon in its most beautiful look.
Weather Forecast
As with most celestial phenomena, the weather dictates whether or not you can observe the lunar eclipse. Although the week is anticipated to be dry, cloudiness could rise by the end of the week. The Valley weather forecast is questionable, so pay attention to the skies so that you don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!
