Total lunar eclipse set for Friday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Skywatchers across Kentucky are in for a celestial treat as a total lunar eclipse will take center stage in the early morning hours of Friday, March 14, 2025. This marks the first total lunar eclipse visible in Kentucky since 2022, making it a must-see event for stargazers and casual observers alike.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that turns the Moon a deep red or copper color—often referred to as a “Blood Moon.” Unlike a solar eclipse, which requires special eye protection, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to view with the naked eye.

Timing and Visibility in Kentucky

The eclipse will unfold over several hours, with totality—the period when the Moon is fully immersed in Earth’s shadow—lasting1 hour and 5 minutes. Here’s the breakdown of key times:

• Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 12:55 a.m.
• Partial Eclipse Begins: 1:47 a.m.
• Total Eclipse Begins: 2:26 a.m.
• Maximum Eclipse: 2:59 a.m.
• Total Eclipse Ends: 3:31 a.m.
• Partial Eclipse Ends: 4:10 a.m.
• Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 5:05 a.m.

For those willing to stay up late (or set an early alarm), the best time to view the eclipse will be between 2:26 and 3:31 a.m. when the Moon will be fully engulfed in Earth’s shadow.

What to Expect

Weather permitting, the Moon will take on a striking reddish hue as Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight, allowing only the longer red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface. This eerie, breathtaking sight has been observed for centuries and often referred to as a “Blood Moon” due to its distinct coloration.

Unlike solar eclipses, which can only be seen from specific locations, lunar eclipses are visible anywhere on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. Here in Kentucky, we’ll have a front-row seat to the entire event, assuming skies cooperate.

Will the Weather Cooperate?

With March’s notoriously unpredictable weather in Kentucky, cloud cover will be a key factor in whether we get a good view of the eclipse. Our current forecast has partly cloudy to mostly clear skies, but we’ll have to fine-tune the forecast as we get closer to Friday.

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

If you miss this opportunity to see the total lunar eclipse, you don’t have to wait too much longer. The next total lunar eclipse will be on the night of March 3rd into March 4th, 2026.