In case you missed it, a total lunar eclipse is set to stun the skies this week, and it will be viewable across the country! In Vancouver, expect to see a spectacular Blood Moon peak out from behind the clouds after days (and days) of rain.
According to In-The-Sky.org, lunar eclipses occur when the Earth passes between the moon and sun, obscuring the sun’s light and casting a shadow onto the moon’s surface. EarthSky adds that this can give the moon a dark red appearance.
NASA explains that this is because colours with longer wavelengths, like red and orange, scatter less easily than those with shorter wavelengths like blues and violets. This phenomenon is what creates a ‘Blood Moon,’ which occurs when a full moon coincides with a lunar eclipse.
When is the next total lunar eclipse?
“On March 13-14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse will sweep across parts of Antarctica, the western half of Africa, western Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Americas, the Pacific Ocean, eastern Australia, northern Japan and eastern Russia,” reads the EarthSky forecast.
Local astronomer Rosanna Tilbrook at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre shared in a statement that the upcoming lunar eclipse on Thursday, March 13, 2025, will be “fully visible from everywhere in Canada,” which means we’ll see a small fraction of the moon enter the Earth’s dark umbral shadow.
According to In-The-Sky.org, the moon will pass through the Earth’s shadow from 01:09 EDT (10:09 p.m. PST) to 04:47 EDT (01:47 a.m. PST), entering a partial eclipse between 01:10 EDT (10:10 p.m. PST) and 04:48 EDT (01:48 a.m. PST), and a total eclipse from 02:26 EDT (11:26 p.m. PST) to 03:31 EDT (12:31 a.m. PST).
What does this look like to the naked eye? The moon will gradually dim in brightness at the start of the partial eclipse, eventually leading to the Earth’s “circular shadow sweep across the face of the moon.”
Eventually, the moon will pass entirely within the Earth’s umbra at 02:26 EDT (11:26 p.m. PST), and the total eclipse will begin.
How to view a total lunar eclipse
As with aurora viewing, you’ll want to head to a low-light area with minimal light pollution to maximize your viewing experience. However, it’s not necessary to view the Blood Moon!
And unlike solar eclipses, you won’t need any special glasses or filters to safely view a lunar eclipse. Just head outdoors and look up!
In Vancouver, Thursday evening is forecasted to have “cloudy periods,” but nothing that will obstruct the moon too much – fingers crossed!
When is the next eclipse?
While Dr. Tilbrook notes that it’s “typical to see two sets of eclipses in a year,” the next lunar and solar eclipse pair in September 2025 will not be visible from Canada.
So all the more reason to make the night of March 13-14 one to remember! Pack a warm beverage and a blanket and head to the beach or your favourite park for a dazzling end to your day.
Enjoy the Blood Moon, Vancouver!
Total lunar eclipse
When: March 13-14, 2025
Recent Posts:
A total lunar eclipse will soon be visible across Canada & here’s what to know
First day of spring: Vancouver to have a rainier-than-usual March & sunsets after 7 p.m.
