A rare total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon,” will be visible across much of the Americas, Europe, and the UK on the night of March 13, marking the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years. The phenomenon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, causing Earth’s shadow to fall on the moon. The last total lunar eclipse occurred on Nov. 8, 2022, and the next one is expected to take place on March 13-14, 2026.
The upcoming total lunar eclipse is predicted to last for 6 hours and 3 minutes, beginning around 11:57 p.m. EST on March 13 and reaching totality around 2:30 a.m. EST on March 14. The eclipse will be visible in North America, South America, western parts of Europe, and Africa.
NASA notes that the next total lunar eclipse visible in the U.S. won’t occur until March 2026, and the next Election Day lunar eclipse will take place in 372 years on Nov. 8, 2394. Celestial enthusiasts are encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity to witness the beauty of a total lunar eclipse if weather conditions permit.
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