Blood Moon Returns Tonight After Three-Year Absence
The night sky will offer a rare celestial spectacle tonight as the first total lunar eclipse since 2022 bathes the moon in an eerie red glow. New Jersey residents have a chance to witness this astronomical event, though weather conditions may create viewing challenges in some areas of the state.
The eclipse begins late Thursday evening and continues into early Friday morning, with the climactic “blood moon” phase visible for approximately 65 minutes starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern time. During this period of totality, the moon will take on its distinctive reddish-orange color as it passes through Earth’s shadow.
Optimal Viewing Times
According to Patch, the eclipse will unfold in several phases, beginning with the penumbral phase at 11:57 p.m. Thursday when the moon enters Earth’s outer shadow. The more noticeable partial eclipse starts at 1:09 a.m. Friday as the moon begins to enter the darker umbral shadow and starts turning red.
The main event—totality—occurs from 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m., with peak viewing around 2:58 a.m. Following totality, the process reverses with another partial phase until 4:47 a.m., and the penumbral phase continues until around 6 a.m. as the moon exits Earth’s shadow completely.
“As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it,” said Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses require no special viewing equipment—just look up.
A rare Blood Moon will appear on the night of Thursday, March 13, into the early morning of March 14. This happens when Earth blocks the Sun, making the Moon look red. People in South America, Central America, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Spain will be able to see it.
— Complex (@Complex) March 13, 2025
(via… pic.twitter.com/4CNyJICgiJ
Weather Could Pose Challenges
The overnight forecast for New Jersey presents some viewing obstacles, with varying cloud cover expected across the state. According to NBC New York, visibility will be more favorable in North Jersey and areas west of New York City, while coastal and eastern regions may face more significant cloud cover.
“If you want to stack the odds in your favor, you’ll want to head a little further north and west,” meteorologists advise. “The persistent easterly winds are making coastal spots particularly nebulous, but the further removed you can get from the ocean’s influence, the clearer the sky conditions will be.”
Some fog is expected to settle in by 2 a.m., potentially during the most dramatic phase of the eclipse. Patchy drizzle might also affect visibility in parts of the state. For optimal viewing, experts recommend getting as far away from urban light pollution as possible.
Don't sleep on this!
— NASA (@NASA) March 13, 2025
In the Western Hemisphere? Step outside late tonight to see a "Blood Moon," aka lunar eclipse, as the Sun, Earth, and Moon align such that the Moon passes into Earth's shadow.
Totality begins at 2:26am ET (0626 UTC) March 14: https://t.co/9tPlMZdpfC pic.twitter.com/3YwV9rZzK7
The Science Behind the “Blood Moon”
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth positions itself directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow on the lunar surface. Unlike partial eclipses where only a portion of Earth’s shadow covers the moon, a total eclipse completely immerses the moon in Earth’s umbral shadow.
The distinctive red coloration occurs because Earth’s atmosphere filters out most blue light waves while allowing red wavelengths to pass through and reach the moon’s surface. “This is the same reason why the sky looks red at sunrise and sunset,” explained Michael Faison, an astronomy expert from Yale University. “Light has to travel through more of the atmosphere when the sun is at the horizon.”
Many wonder why lunar eclipses don’t happen monthly during full moons. The answer lies in the moon’s orbital tilt relative to Earth’s orbit around the sun. This slight inclination means that most months, the full moon passes above or below Earth’s shadow, avoiding an eclipse.
Future Eclipse Opportunities
For those who miss tonight’s spectacle or face obscured views due to weather, the next total lunar eclipse visible from North America won’t occur until March 3, 2026. Another total lunar eclipse will take place on September 7-8, 2025, but it won’t be visible to most North American observers, according to NASA.
Astronomy enthusiasts should prepare for potentially chilly conditions if venturing out to view the eclipse. Even in areas where temperatures remain above freezing, extended time outdoors waiting for cloud breaks could be uncomfortable without proper attire.
Whether this celestial show proves visible or not for New Jersey residents, it serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the predictable yet always awe-inspiring dance of celestial bodies that continues regardless of earthly weather and viewing conditions.
