The moon will turn dark red Thursday night: How to see the lunar eclipse in Michigan
The eclipse will occur during March's full moon — happening overnight Thursday and early Friday morning — creating a red "blood moon" visible in Michigan skies, according to NASA.
"In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, called the umbra. When the moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange. Lunar eclipses are sometimes called 'blood moons' because of this phenomenon," Caela Barry wrote for NASA.
Here's what to know.
The total lunar eclipse will occur overnight from March 13 to early March 14, 2025, depending upon which time zone you are in.
In Michigan, the lunar eclipse will begin at 11:57 p.m. on March 13, reach its maximum at 2:58 a.m., and end at 6 a.m., according to timeanddate.com.
You can expect the moon to take on a dramatic shade of red or orange in the night sky during the total lunar eclipse because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere, NASA said.
As the moon is covered by the inner part of Earth's shadow during the eclipse, sunlight not blocked by Earth is filtered through a thick slice of Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon's surface, per NASA.
Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange.
A total lunar eclipse when the sun, Earth and moon align so the moon is covered by the Earth's shadow, or umbra, NASA said.
You can view the eclipse with the naked eye or using binoculars or a telescope, the NWS says.
For the best viewing chances, head to an open area away from urban light pollution, experts advise. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.
The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park.
In Mackinac City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road.
In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St.
In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123.
In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road.
In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Highway.
In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive.
Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast closer to the event as well, as a clear night sky will be optimal for taking in the eclipse.
March's full moon, the Worm Moon, will reach peak illumination at 2:55 a.m. March 14.
No, the March full moon is not a supermoon.
The Lyrids meteor shower will peak April 21-22, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When is the lunar eclipse? How to see the full moon turn red
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