Tue Mar 11 17:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Blood Moon Eclipse to Light Up Night Skies This Week
**Los Angeles, CA** – Stargazers across the US and parts of the Western Hemisphere are in for a treat this week. A total lunar eclipse, the first in three years, will paint the moon a dramatic reddish hue, creating a spectacle known as a “blood worm moon.”
The celestial event will occur Thursday evening and Friday morning, depending on location. Visibility is expected across all US states. The eclipse reaches totality when the full moon passes completely into Earth’s umbra (the darkest part of its shadow). This phase will last approximately 65 minutes. A partial eclipse will precede and follow totality by about an hour and 15 minutes. West Coast viewers can expect the event to begin around 11:26 PM Thursday, while East Coast viewers should look to the skies around 2:26 AM Friday.
The “blood” in “blood worm moon” refers to the reddish glow caused by sunlight refracting through Earth’s atmosphere. The “worm” designation stems from the March full moon’s traditional association with the emergence of earthworms as spring approaches. The Old Farmer’s Almanac also notes alternative names used by various Native American tribes, including the Eagle Moon, Goose Moon, and Crow Comes Back Moon.
NASA suggests finding a dark location for optimal viewing. While visible to the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope will enhance the experience. Sky & Telescope magazine notes that the moon may appear slightly brighter on its upper half due to its position within the Earth’s umbra. The exact shade of red will depend on atmospheric conditions.
First Piper 