The Upcoming Lunar Eclipse
At this point you’ve probably heard about the upcoming lunar eclipse. This eclipse is something special—especially since it’s the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years! March’s Worm Moon will be even more captivating with the eclipse making it a Blood Worm Moon. Look to the skies in the evening of March 13th or super early morning on March 14th to witness this lunar phenomenon.
What is a Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the moon. When the Earth is perfectly centered in between the two, it is known as a total lunar eclipse because the entirety of the moon is blocked by the shadow of the Earth. Since the Moon doesn’t produce its own light, it normally appears bright because it is lit by the sun’s rays, but with the earth blocking it during an eclipse the sun’s rays are obstructed from lighting up the moon’s surface, so it appears dark wherever the Earth overlaps it.
Why is it called a Blood Moon?
During a total eclipse, Earth’s shadow darkens the moon, but it cannot completely block the light from the sun. Any sunlight that is not obstructed by Earth during the eclipse gets filtered through the Earth’s atmosphere, scattering and refracting it which makes the moon appear a reddish orange, leading to it commonly being referred to as a Blood Moon.
When and where to watch 🔭
As long as you are on the side of Earth that is nighttime when the eclipse occurs you should be able to see it! Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch with the naked eye, so no special glasses are needed. Just find a good spot with clear skies and enjoy the view! Here are the time ranges to look based on time zones in the US from March 13th-March 14th:
ET – Begins at 2:26 AM & Ends at 3:31 AM
CT – Begins at 1:26 AM & Ends at 2:31 AM
MT – Begins at 12:26 AM & Ends at 1:31 AM
PT – Begins at 11:26 PM & Ends at 12:31 AM
AT – Begins at 10:26 PM & Ends at 11:31 PM
HST – Begins at 8:26 PM & Ends at 9:31 PM
My Childhood Introduction to this Lunar Phenomena 🌙
When I was young, a Polly Pocket movie of all things—Polly Pocket: Lunar Eclipse—sparked my fascination with lunar eclipses. The adventure and mystery of the eclipse they were trying to document stuck with me, and, honestly, I still think about that movie more often than I probably should. Maybe Polly Pocket: Lunar Eclipse is my own personal "Roman Empire"—a recurring thought that never really faded.
Now, with celestial events playing such a big role in my life through Yugen, that childhood wonder feels even more meaningful. Looking back, this movie was one of the many reasons I fell in love with space and the stars in the first place. As an adult, I appreciate the science behind eclipses, but they still hold that same sense of magic they did when I was young.
Whether you catch a glimpse of the eclipse in a few days or watch a movie from your childhood, hopefully your week ends with a little bit of celestial magic ✨ If you’re able to witness the eclipse, feel free to share your experience or photos—I’d love to see how others around the world are watching this celestial wonder!
Happy Skywatching! 🌌
Sam