At midnight on March 13, the dark sky of much of the planet will highlight the reddish tone of the moon during the first total lunar eclipse of 2025. This visual phenomenon, which marvels at the world, will show the interaction between the light and the stars, generating an orange or reddish effect on the natural satellite and offering an impressive show from the earth.
The effect, known as Blood Luna or Red Moon, is the result of the filtration of sunlight in the Earth’s atmosphere, which causes the blue and green wavelengths to be dispersed, and that only the reddish tones reach the surface of the natural satellite, generating the characteristic reddish reddish tone from the earth.
This lunar phenomenon will be visible in Guatemala, starting on the night of March 13 and reaching its final phase at dawn of 14.
Phases of the lunar eclipse and its maximum point
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) details that, during a total eclipse, the earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, being completely aligned. This effect causes a blockade of the sun’s rays that usually illuminate the satellite, which are diverted by the earth’s atmosphere, generating the characteristic reddish tone.
During this phenomenon, the moon passes through the shadow projected by the Earth, a process divided into two stages: gloom and umbra. In the Umbra phase, sunlight is filtered through the Earth’s atmosphere, which produces the total reddish tone on the surface of the natural satellite.
The tone can vary in different regions of the planet, according to local atmospheric conditions, the angle of observation and the degree of light pollution, as NASA indicates.
The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) points out that, in Guatemala, the event will begin on the night of March 13, during the Penumbra phase. It is estimated that the Moon will enter the Terrestrial Penumbra at 9:57 p.m., slightly obscuring its surface.
Subsequently, the Umbra phase will begin at 23.09 hours, starting the partial eclipse, during which the moon will adopt a yellowish orange hue that will progressively become reddish.
The characteristic tone of the blood moon will begin to be observed around 00.25 on Friday, March 14.
According to the Insivumeh, the maximum point of the eclipse will occur between 00.26 and 01.31 hours. However, experts indicate that the culminating moment will be at 00.58 hours, when the reddish color will reach its greatest intensity.
From 01.32 hours, the satellite will begin the gradual loss of its reddish hue, when entering the partial shadow of the earth again. This fading phase will be extended until 02.48.
The eclipse will officially end at 05.00, when the Penumbra phase is completed and the Moon will completely recover its usual luminosity.
Outstanding schedules of the lunar eclipse in Guatemala
To understand the development of each phase of the phenomenon, astronomy experts detail the key moments to enjoy the astronomical show in the Guatemalan sky:
March 13:
- Beginning of the Penumbra: 21.57 hours
- Start of the umbra (partial eclipse): 23.09 hours
March 14:
- Maximum point of the lunar eclipse: 00.58 hours
- End of Umbra: 2.48 hours
- End of the Paleumbra: 05.00 hours
Guatemala will be one of the countries where you can observe the total lunar eclipse, known as Blood Luna. It will be this Thursday 13 and Friday, March 14, 2025. Here we give you the exact hours to observe this astronomical phenomenon. #Somosinsivumeh #EblodignoEsPrimero pic.twitter.com/6eqovzxknh
– Insivumeh (@insivumehgt) March 13, 2025