The Chicago area was treated to a stunning celestial event on Tuesday as a partial lunar eclipse coincided with a supermoon. But for those who missed out on this spectacular sight, fear not, because the next lunar eclipse in the area is set to be even more breathtaking.
In fact, the next lunar eclipse that will be visible over the skies in the Chicago area will be a total lunar eclipse, and it’s coming up sooner than you may think. Here’s everything you need to know about this upcoming event.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, also known as its “umbra.” During this phenomenon, some sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere still reaches the surface of the moon, but only colors with longer wavelengths remain visible, according to NASA. This results in the moon appearing reddish in color, with the amount of dust in the Earth’s atmosphere determining the intensity of the red hue.
When will the eclipse take place?
Mark your calendars for the night of March 14, 2025, as that is when the next total lunar eclipse will take place. This event will be visible across a wide swath of the world, including the United States. However, if you want to witness this breathtaking sight, you’ll have to either stay up late or wake up super early. The partial eclipse will begin at approximately 12:09 a.m. on March 14, according to TimeandDate, and will become a total lunar eclipse at approximately 1:26 a.m., reaching its peak just before 2 a.m.
What else will be unique about this eclipse?
While the partial lunar eclipse that the Chicago area saw on Tuesday occurred during a “supermoon,” meaning that the moon was at one of its closest points to Earth, the total lunar eclipse in March 2025 will take place during a “micro moon.” This means that the moon will be at one of its furthest points from Earth in its orbit, resulting in a slightly smaller appearance in the sky. However, this will not take away from the stunning red hue that accompanies a lunar eclipse.
When is the next solar eclipse?
If you can’t wait until 2025 for another celestial event, you’re in luck. Just two weeks after the total lunar eclipse, there will be a partial solar eclipse on March 29. However, this event will only be visible in the far northeastern United States, with the primary impacts observed over the Atlantic Ocean and in parts of eastern Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Looking ahead, another total lunar eclipse is set to occur in the fall of 2025, but unfortunately, it will only be visible over parts of Asia, Africa, and Australia. So, for those living in the Chicago area, the total lunar eclipse in March 2025 is a must-see event that you won’t want to miss.
In conclusion, the Chicago area is in for a treat with the upcoming total lunar eclipse in March 2025. This rare and stunning event will be visible across the United States and is sure to leave viewers in awe. So mark your calendars and make sure to catch this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
