Total Lunar Eclipse or Blood Moon: Viewing Information for India

A total lunar eclipse, or “Blood Moon,” will occur on March 14, 2025, but will not be visible from India due to daytime timing. The eclipse will be visible in North and South America, with options for Indian viewers to watch live streams. It further coincides with the Worm Moon, marking the final full moon of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

A total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a “Blood Moon,” is scheduled for March 14, 2025. During this phenomenon, Earth will position itself directly between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to appear red due to the scattering of shorter wavelengths of light by Earth’s atmosphere. This event coincides with the Worm Moon, the last full moon of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

The eclipse will commence at 9:27 AM IST, reach its peak at 12:28 PM IST, and conclude at 3:30 PM IST. Unfortunately, as this eclipse occurs during the day when the Moon is below the horizon in India, it will not be observable from within the country. Enthusiasts in India will have to wait until September 7-8, 2025, for a full lunar eclipse that can be seen nationwide.

North and South America will provide the best views of the March 2025 eclipse, which is expected to last for over 65 minutes. Live streaming options will be accessible for those in India who wish to experience this celestial event through various social media platforms.

The lunar eclipse will begin on March 13, 2025, at 11:57 PM and conclude on March 14, 2025, at 6:00 AM. The most visually striking phase will occur between 2:26 AM and 3:31 AM IST. Regions best positioned to view the eclipse include North and South America, parts of East Asia during moonrise, and areas in Europe at moonset.

For Indian viewers, live streaming will be facilitated by various space agencies, including NASA, via their official websites and social media accounts. Additionally, the Time and Date website will offer a live feed, and several astronomy-focused YouTube channels are expected to broadcast the event.

The designation “Blood Moon” arises from the reddish hue the Moon takes during a total lunar eclipse. This color results from sunlight refracting through Earth’s atmosphere, illuminating the Moon. Shorter wavelengths scatter more, while longer wavelengths dominate, resulting in the characteristic red tint. Furthermore, while “Blood Moon” generally refers to any total lunar eclipse, it is also linked to a tetrad, which is a series of four consecutive total lunar eclipses. The March 2025 eclipse forms part of a tetrad that includes subsequent eclipses in September 2025, March 2026, and August 2026.

In summary, the total lunar eclipse on March 14, 2025, will be a spectacular astronomical event, although it will not be visible from India. Astronomy enthusiasts in the country can instead enjoy live streams of the event through various platforms. This eclipse, correlated with the Worm Moon, presents significant viewing opportunities primarily in North and South America.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com