Blood moon visible in US: What makes it red and do you need glasses to see it?

A rare "blood moon" total lunar eclipse is now visible in parts of the US. NASA has confirmed that no special glasses or equipment are required to see it.

Updated on: Mar 14, 2025, 13:53:13 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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A rare "blood moon" total lunar eclipse is now visible in parts of the United States. The celestial event began just before midnight EDT and will be visible until the early hours of Friday morning. Social media is buzzing as stargazers share beautiful images and videos of the red moon.

A lunar eclipse is seen during the Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse above Los Angeles, California, on March 13, 2025. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (AFP)

What makes the ‘blood moon’ red?

The phenomenon known as a "blood moon" occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a straight line. As sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, it is refracted, and the longer wavelengths, such as red, are scattered. These wavelengths then reflect off the moon, giving it a reddish hue.

According to NASA, the red appearance is a result of Rayleigh scattering. It is a natural process that also explains why the sky appears blue during the day and why sunsets often look red. As sunlight enters Earth's atmosphere, shorter wavelengths like blue light scatter, while longer wavelengths like red light continue on to illuminate the moon. This is why the moon appears red during “blood moon” lunar eclipse.

Do we need glasses to look at the total lunar eclipse?

NASA has confirmed that it is completely safe to view the total lunar eclipse with the naked eye. No special glasses or equipment are required.

NASA, however, recommends that "binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view."

The agency adds that a "dark environment away from bright lights makes for the best viewing conditions."

Also Read: Blood Moon on Holi: A blessing or a bane for your zodiac sign?

What time is the lunar eclipse in the US?

The total lunar eclipse will reach its peak in the US at 2:26 a.m. EDT on Friday, when the entire moon will be fully within Earth’s shadow.

Here are the key times for different US time zones -

Eastern Time: 2:26-3:32 a.m. EDT on Friday

Central Time: 1:26-2:32 a.m. CDT on Friday

Mountain Time: 12:26-1:32 a.m. MDT on Friday

Pacific: 11:26 p.m. on Thursday into 12:32 a.m. PDT on Friday

Alaska: 10:26-11:32 p.m. AKDT on Thursday

Hawaii: 8:26-9:32 p.m. HST on Thursday

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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