If you spent last April staring at the sky through cardboard glasses, you're probably itching for the next big celestial event. You want to know: is there an eclipse in March 2025? The short answer is yes. Actually, there are two.
Space is weirdly busy this month.
On March 14, 2025, a Total Lunar Eclipse will paint the moon a deep, dusty red. Then, just two weeks later on March 29, a Partial Solar Eclipse will take a "bite" out of the sun for observers in specific parts of the northern hemisphere. It's a double-feature. Most people think eclipses are rare, once-in-a-lifetime things, but they actually travel in pairs called "eclipse seasons."
The Pi Day Blood Moon: March 14, 2025
This is the big one for folks in the Americas. Because it happens on March 14, the internet is already calling it the "Pi Day Eclipse." It’s a Total Lunar Eclipse, which is honestly way more chill than a solar one. You don’t need special glasses. You don’t need to drive to a tiny 50-mile-wide path of totality. If the moon is above your horizon and the clouds play nice, you're in.
The Earth will slide directly between the sun and the moon. Our atmosphere filters the sunlight, scattering the blue light and letting the red wavelengths pass through. It's basically every sunrise and sunset on Earth projected onto the lunar surface at once. Pretty metal, right?
Where to watch the lunar show
The entire Western Hemisphere gets a front-row seat. Whether you're in New York, Los Angeles, or Buenos Aires, you'll see the moon go from bright white to a weird, bruised copper color.
The timing is a bit of a night-owl special. For those on the East Coast of the U.S., the total phase—where the moon is fully engulfed in Earth's shadow—starts around 2:26 AM EDT. It stays red for over an hour. If you've got work at 8 AM, maybe brew an extra pot of coffee.
People in Europe and western Africa will see the moon set while it's still eclipsed. If you’re in London or Paris, you’ll want to find a high vantage point with a clear view of the western horizon just before sunrise. It’s going to look massive against the skyline.
That "Bite" in the Sky: The March 29 Partial Solar Eclipse
Two weeks after the moon does its thing, the moon swings around to the other side of Earth. This is the partial solar eclipse of March 29, 2025.
Wait. Don't get too excited if you're in California or Texas.
This one is strictly for the North Atlantic crowd. We're talking about parts of northern and eastern Europe, northern Asia, northwest Africa, and a tiny sliver of northeast North America. If you live in Maine or eastern Canada, you might see a small notch taken out of the sun during sunrise. For everyone else in the U.S., it’s a total miss.
Why this solar eclipse is different
Unlike the spectacular "Great American Eclipse" of 2024, this is not a total eclipse. The moon's shadow barely grazes the Earth. No "hole in the sky," no sudden darkness, and no crickets chirping in the middle of the day.
In places like Iceland or the northern UK, the moon might cover about 40% to 60% of the sun. It’s cool, but it’s subtle. You absolutely must use ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses. Looking at a 60% eclipsed sun is just as dangerous for your retinas as looking at the full sun. Your eyes don't have pain receptors, so you won't even know you're burning them until it's too late. Seriously, don't mess around with this.
Why do they happen so close together?
It feels like a cosmic coincidence, but it’s actually basic geometry. Eclipses happen when the moon crosses the "ecliptic"—the imaginary plane where Earth orbits the sun.
Most of the time, the moon is slightly above or below this plane. But twice a year, the orbits line up perfectly. We call this an eclipse season. It lasts about 35 days. Because the moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, you almost always get one lunar eclipse and one solar eclipse during every single window.
March 2025 just happens to be the peak of one of those windows.
Getting your gear ready
Honestly, you don't need much.
For the March 14 lunar eclipse, your naked eyes are fine. If you have a pair of birdwatching binoculars or a cheap telescope, grab them. Seeing the craters of the moon bathed in deep red light adds a layer of depth you can't get otherwise. It looks less like a flat disk and more like a 3D ball hanging in space.
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For the March 29 solar eclipse, check your 2024 glasses. If they aren't scratched or punctured, they are still good. If you threw them away, buy a pair now before the "eclipse tax" hits and prices triple on Amazon. Look for the ISO 12312-2 rating.
If you’re a photographer, the lunar eclipse is your best friend. You don't need crazy filters. A decent DSLR or mirrorless camera on a tripod with a 200mm lens will get you a great shot. Just remember that as the moon gets darker (into totality), it also gets much dimmer. You’ll need to bump up your ISO or slow down your shutter speed.
Common myths to ignore
Every time an eclipse rolls around, the "end times" crowd comes out. You'll hear talk about "Blood Moons" being omens of disaster.
Relax.
The moon turns red because of physics, not prophecy. Rayleigh scattering—the same reason the sky is blue—is the culprit here. There’s no evidence that eclipses trigger earthquakes, change your personality, or spoil your milk. It’s just a giant rock passing through a shadow.
Another weird one: "The sun is more dangerous during an eclipse."
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Nope. The sun is exactly as dangerous as it is on any Tuesday. The difference is that during an eclipse, you actually have a reason to want to stare at it. Your pupils might dilate slightly because the overall light level drops, letting more UV rays hit your retina. That's why the glasses are non-negotiable.
Planning your viewing party
If you're planning to watch the March 14 lunar eclipse, here is your checklist:
- Check the weather. Clouds are the only thing that can ruin a lunar eclipse. Have a backup "watch party" link ready for a NASA livestream if the sky is gray.
- Find a clear view. You don't need a mountain, just a spot where trees or buildings won't block the moon.
- Layer up. March nights can be biting. If you’re standing outside for the two-hour duration of the eclipse, you’ll get cold fast.
- Snacks. It's Pi Day. Eat some pie. It’s right there in the name.
For the March 29 solar eclipse, timing is everything. Since it's a sunrise event for many in North America, you need an unobstructed view of the horizon to the East-North-East. Even a small hill or a row of houses could block the entire event.
Key takeaway for the month
March 2025 is a rare "double-dip" for skywatchers. While the solar eclipse is a bit exclusive in its location, the total lunar eclipse is a universal gift for almost everyone in the Western world.
Mark your calendar for the night of March 13 (going into the morning of March 14). Set an alarm. Even if you only step outside for five minutes to see that red moon hanging over your neighborhood, it's worth it. It’s a quiet, eerie, and beautiful reminder that we’re all riding a rock through a very busy solar system.
To get the most out of these events, download a stargazing app like SkySafari or Stellarium now. These apps use your phone's GPS to show you exactly where the moon and sun will be from your specific backyard. This prevents you from waking up at 3 AM only to realize the moon is hidden behind your neighbor's giant oak tree.
Check your old eclipse glasses for pinholes by holding them up to a bright lightbulb indoors; if you see any light leaking through the black film, toss them and order a new pair before the March 29 partial eclipse.