Will you see the total lunar eclipse this month? Here's when it is and how to watch

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The moon will appear a striking reddish color in mid-March when a magnificent total lunar eclipse becomes visible all across the United States.

The uncommon celestial phenomenon, which Americans haven't had the opportunity to witness for nearly three years, can only occur when the moon is full and aligning perfectly with the Earth and sun. When this happens, the moon is passing into Earth's shadow in a color-shifting process that lends it the nickname, "blood moon."

The upcoming total lunar eclipse in March, which, unlike the total solar eclipse in April 2024, doesn't require special equipment to witness safely, is the first since November 2022.

Here's what to know about a total lunar eclipse, including when and how to see the next one.

What is a total lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into Earth's shadow while aligning with our planet and the sun.

When the moon is imperfectly covered by Earth's shadow as our planet passes between our natural satellite and the sun, it produces a partial lunar eclipse – like the one that took place in September. In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon moves into the innermost and darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra, completely blocking it from the sun, according to NASA.

The moon, which does not produce its own light, shines because its surface reflects the sun's rays. Though the Earth blocks any direct sunlight from reaching the moon during a total solar eclipse, the sun still casts the Earth's shadow on the lunar surface.

What does a total lunar eclipse look like?

Because the sunlight is blocked, the moon will be dimmer than usual. But the effect will also paint its surface with a striking reddish-orange hue for a few hours, creating a breathtaking sight in the night sky as it moves through the constellations Leo and Virgo.

Because of the color-changing phenomenon, lunar eclipses are often called “blood moons."

What is a blood moon?

The process that produces the red or orangish glow is the same that makes our sky blue and our sunsets red, according to NASA.

As sunlight reaches Earth's atmosphere, it is refracted toward the surface.

Because blue light has a shorter wavelength and scatters relatively easily, that's why our sky appears in that color most of the time. Reddish light, which travels more directly in the air, manifests to ground observers during sunrises and sunsets when the sun is near the horizon and its incoming light travels at a longer, low-angle path through Earth's atmosphere.

That's similar to what's happening on the moon during a total lunar eclipse when sunlight is once again refracted towards the surface of the fully eclipsed Moon. Even though Earth blocks sunlight from directly reaching moon during a total lunar eclipse, our planet's atmosphere still bends sunlight to indirectly light up the lunar surface.

"It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the moon," NASA explains.

When is the total lunar eclipse?

The total lunar eclipse will be visible throughout the U.S. on the night of March 13 into 14.

The website Time and Date predicts the moon will complete all of the eclipse phases in 6 hours, 3 minutes.

If you live in the U.S., here's a schedule of the eclipse from start to beginning, according to NASA:

• 11:57 p.m. EST: you can see the eclipse starting when the penumbral phase begins as the moon enter the outer part of the shadow and begins to subtly dim. 
• 1:09 a.m.: A partial eclipse begins as the moon enters Earth's umbra and starts to darken. To the naked eye, the moon should look like a bite is being taken out of the lunar disk.
• 2:26 a.m.: Totality occurswhen the entire moon is under the umbra. This is when the reddish hues of the "blood moon" will be on display.
• 3:31 a.m.: As the moon exits the umbra, the red color will fade and another bite-like display, this time on the other side of the moon, will appear.
• 6 a.m.: The entire process should end by this time as the moon slowly exits the Earth's penumbra.

Where and how to see the total lunar eclipse in March

While lunar eclipses are relatively rare, when they do happen, they're visible to an entire half of Earth.

For this eclipse, the Western Hemisphere will be treated to the view, including all of North America. For those in the United States, that means all lower 48 states should have a view. The total lunar eclipse will also be visible over South America and western parts of Europe and Africa.

While you don't need any special equipment to observe the phenomenon, astronomers insist that the view will be even better with telescopes and binoculars. Regardless, a dark environment away from bright city lights makes for the best spectating.

Time and Date provides more detailed information about where and when to see the eclipse.

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

According to NASA, another total lunar eclipse won't be visible in the U.S. until March 2026.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com