2025-03-09 06:00:41.517

A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon red on Thursday night into Friday morning, offering stunning views across the Western Hemisphere. North and South America will have the best viewing conditions, while parts of Africa and Europe might catch a glimpse. Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, Earth, and moon align, causing Earth's shadow to fall on the moon. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns a coppery red due to sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere. These events happen four to seven times a year. The upcoming eclipse will be visible for about an hour starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern on Friday, with peak viewing around 3 a.m. Eastern. No special equipment is needed to view the eclipse; simply look up at a clear sky. While the eclipse will be best seen in the Americas, those in Europe and Africa may have difficulty viewing due to the moon's setting. Another total lunar eclipse will occur on September 7th, visible in Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, with parts of the Americas experiencing one in March 2026. Historically, lunar eclipses have held cultural significance, with ancient civilizations interpreting them in various ways. Aristotle's observations of the Earth's curved shadow on the moon during an eclipse provided evidence of Earth's round shape. In ancient Mesopotamia, a blood-red moon was considered a bad omen for the king, leading to the practice of installing a substitute king during the eclipse.