This March, we’ll get a chance to witness a total lunar eclipse and a Blood Moon in Atlanta, for the first time since 2022.

The total lunar eclipse will begin just before midnight on Thursday, March 13, 2025, but most of it will happen in the wee hours of Friday, March 14th, 2025. The maximum eclipse will occur around 3 a.m.

Keep your fingers crossed for clear conditions that will let us enjoy stargazing on the night of the total lunar eclipse in Atlanta!

And definitely make a plan to see this lunar eclipse, because you won’t get another chance to see one for a full year.

We’ve got tips for viewing the lunar eclipse on your own, as well as some links to live-stream events.

But first, some background info:

♣ A blood moon refers to a phenomenon by which the moon appears reddish or coppery in color. The red color is caused by the way the light waves scatter, and how the human eye perceives it. It’s the same effect that gives sunrise and sunset a reddish glow. The shade of red varies by the amount of dust and clouds in the atmosphere at the time. 

♣ A total lunar eclipse happens at full moon when the earth, moon, and sun line up exactly, so the earth blocks light from the sun. The moon appears darkened as it passes through the shadow of the earth.

According to NASA, the next total lunar eclipse after this one will be on March 3, 2026 — and you can check back here then for viewing details!

And by the way, the March full moon is also known as the “Worm Moon.” So technically this is a Worm Blood Moon that’s involved in the lunar eclipse.

It takes place during the early morning hours of Friday, March 14th, 2025. The lunar eclipse happens in phases and takes awhile to reach totality, so this celestial event happens over several hours.

The totality phase itself lasts 65 minutes, and this is when the moon takes on the eerie blood red color. If you’re going to set an alarm to watch just part of the eclipse, this is the part you want to aim for.

Here’s what you can expect, and when, as noted by TimeAndDate.com:

• 1:09 a.m. — partial eclipse begins (the moon enters Earth’s shadow and begins to darken)

• 2:26 a.m. — total eclipse begins (entire moon is in shadow and begins to turn red)

• 2:58 a.m. — MAXIMUM ECLIPSE (full blood-red color peaks, then begins to reverse)

• 3:31 a.m. — total eclipse ends (the moon exits the Earth’s shadow)

• 4:47 a.m. — partial eclipse ends

How can I see the lunar eclipse in Atlanta?

It is super simple — just go outside, look up, and take it all in. Unlike with a solar eclipse, you don’t need special equipment or eye protection. There’s no danger in looking right at the eclipse.

The best viewing conditions are clear skies, but the eclipse is long enough that you’ll be able to see some of it even if it’s partially cloudy.

Fortunately, you don’t need a clear view of the horizon for the March lunar eclipse — the moon will be high enough in the sky that you’ll just need to find a spot away from the tallest trees. According to TimeAndDate.com, the moon will be 52 degrees above the horizon during maximum eclipse. (For reference, 90 degrees would be directly overhead.)

It never hurts to scout for a viewing spot ahead of time. You’ll want to find a good view to the south. The eclipse in the southeast sky and end slightly to the southwest. The compass app on your mobile phone is a great tool to help you choose a spot.

You may want to move away from bright city lights. The darker it is where you are, the more dramatic your view. That said, it’s very likely you can watch from your own yard.

If you happen to have good binoculars, or even a small telescope, definitely use them. It would be fun to get a closer look at the moon and the lunar eclipse.

The Tellus Science Museum

The Tellus Museum, in Cartersville, plans to open at 1 a.m. on Friday, March 14th, for those who want to experience the lunar eclipse there. Regular admission fees apply.

You’ll be able to look through the large telescope at the Tellus Observatory, and there will be smaller telescopes set up outdoors on the lawn for viewing.

You can also opt to watch a live stream of the eclipse in comfort from the museum’s theater, with comments from an astronomer.

And, the museum’s planetarium will run special lunar eclipse shows, beginning at 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.

Lunar eclipse live streams

Watch the eclipse from the comfort of your own bed!

TimeAndDate.com
Watch from their website or from their YouTube channel.

Griffith Observatory
The famed Los Angeles observatory will begin its live stream at midnight and continue to 6 a.m. (this is Eastern Standard Time). Probably no one needs to watch six hours of this, so just tune in to the Griffith YouTube channel according to the schedule above to see the part you want.

Lowell Observatory
Details coming soon!

More upcoming events: