Missed the Blood Moon? Don’t worry! A partial Solar Eclipse is coming in March – When & where to watch the next Blood Moon

The year 2025 is an exciting one for skywatchers! After the breathtaking planetary parade and the stunning lunar eclipse, many were lucky enough to witness the rare blood moon on March 13-14, 2025. If you missed it, don’t worry! A partial solar eclipse is just around the corner, giving you another opportunity to experience a celestial wonder. Read on to find out more about this upcoming event and when to see the next blood moon.

What is a Blood Moon?

A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon, giving it a reddish hue. This happens because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere scatters and filters out blue light, allowing only red light to reach the Moon. The result? A stunning, eerie red Moon that captivates skywatchers worldwide.

The recent lunar eclipse in March 2025 brought an incredible blood moon, but the next one won’t be visible anytime soon. If you regret missing it, your best alternative is the upcoming partial solar eclipse.

What is a Partial Solar Eclipse?

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth but does not completely block the Sun. Instead, only a portion of the Sun appears covered, creating a crescent-shaped spectacle in the sky.

Key Facts About a Solar Eclipse:

• The Sun, Moon, and Earth must be aligned, but not perfectly.
• It can only happen during a new Moon phase.
• The Moon casts a shadow on Earth, but it does not fully cover the Sun.
• Special eye protection is needed to view it safely.

When is the Next Partial Solar Eclipse?

The first partial solar eclipse of 2025 will take place on March 29. According to NASA, it will start at around 4:50 a.m. EDT and end by 8:43 a.m. EDT, with its peak at 6:47 a.m. EDT. This celestial event will be visible across several regions, including?Europe, Northern?Asia,?Africa,?North America,?South America,?Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.?Certain areas in the Northeast U.S., including New York, Boston, and Augusta, Maine, may get a glimpse of this stunning phenomenon.

When to See the Next Blood Moon?

If you’re eagerly waiting for another blood moon, you’ll need to be patient. The next total lunar eclipse, which will bring another blood moon, is expected in 2026. However, partial lunar eclipses will occur before then, providing skywatchers with an exciting preview of this rare event.

Map of the Partial Solar Eclipse on 29 March 2025

As per NASA's official website, this partial solar eclipse will be visible to everyone within the Moon’s shadow.

• The curved yellow lines on the map indicate how much of the Sun will be covered by the Moon at different locations during the peak of the eclipse.
• The green lines represent the exact time when the eclipse will reach its maximum at specific points.
• The times are given in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Since Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is 4 hours behind UTC, an event at 10:30 UTC will occur at 6:30 a.m. EDT.
• The orange loops on the map show the sunrise and sunset positions. The western (left) loop marks sunrise—its left side shows where the eclipse will end at sunrise, while the right side indicates where it will begin at sunrise. On the eastern (right) loop, the left side marks where the eclipse will end at sunset, and the right side shows where it will begin at sunset.
• The blue lines highlight locations where the maximum eclipse will take place at sunrise or sunset.

How to Safely Watch a Partial Solar Eclipse?

Watching a partial solar eclipse requires proper precautions, as looking at the Sun directly can cause severe eye damage.

Safe Viewing Tips:

• Always use eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses are NOT safe for viewing.
• Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, or binoculars without a proper solar filter.
• Use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector, to safely watch the eclipse without looking at the Sun directly.
• If you’re lucky enough to be in the right location, don’t miss this chance to witness a mesmerizing partial solar eclipse. And if you’re waiting for the next blood moon, mark your calendar for the upcoming lunar eclipse events in the future!

Stay tuned for more updates on celestial events and make sure you don’t miss out on these spectacular sky shows!

(Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available sources, including NASA and timeanddate.com. While we strive for accuracy, eclipse visibility may vary based on location and weather conditions. Always use proper eye protection when viewing a solar eclipse. We do not endorse or recommend any specific brand of eclipse glasses or solar viewers.)

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.