Total Lunar Eclipse Paints Sky Blood Red Across Americas

Lead: A rare total lunar eclipse turned the Moon blood red across North and South America tonight, captivating millions of skywatchers from Alaska to Argentina with a celestial spectacle.

Nut Graf: The eclipse, the only one of 2025, offered observers dramatic views of Earth’s shadow sweeping across the lunar surface, underscoring the mechanics of our planet’s alignment with the Sun and Moon and renewing public interest in astronomy.

Eclipse Details and Visibility

• Timing: Totality peaked at 9:12 p.m. UTC (5:12 p.m. EDT), lasting 1 hour and 24 minutes.
• Path of Visibility: Complete eclipse visible from western North America through South America; partial phases seen in Europe and western Africa.
• Coloration: Scattered sunlight refracted by Earth’s atmosphere cast a deep red hue on the Moon, a hallmark of “blood moon” eclipses.

Scientific Context

Earth’s atmosphere filters shorter blue wavelengths, allowing red light to bend into Earth’s shadow and illuminate the Moon. Such total eclipses occur only when Sun, Earth and Moon align exactly during a full Moon.

Public Reaction and Events

• Skywatching Gatherings: Astronomy clubs in cities like Los Angeles, Mexico City and Buenos Aires hosted telescope viewings.
• Live Broadcasts: Major observatories streamed the event globally, drawing over 2 million online viewers.
• Social Media Buzz: Hashtags #BloodMoon2025 and #TotalLunarEclipse trended, with millions sharing photos and time-lapse videos.

Next Occurrence

Skywatchers need not wait long: the next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 14, 2026, visible across Europe, Africa and western Asia.

Photography and live streams courtesy of participating observatories and amateur astronomers.