SALISBURY, Md. – A rare and stunning celestial event will unfold over Maryland this week – a total lunar eclipse, also known as the “blood moon.” The event occurs when Earth positions itself between the sun and a full moon, casting its shadow onto the lunar surface, turning it a reddish-orange hue. On Thursday night, the eclipse will begin around 11:57 p.m., according to NASA. A partial eclipse will start around 1:09 a.m. and totality will follow at 2:26 a.m., as the moon takes on a coppery red glow. Totality will last for approximately 65 minutes and end at 3:31 a.m., with the full moon exiting Earth’s shadow by 6 a.m. Friday. This eclipse offers an extended viewing window, longer than usual, with observers able to see the blood-red moon for more than an hour. As the eclipse occurs, skywatchers can also look to the west to spot Jupiter and Mars. The moon will travel from the constellation Leo to Virgo during the eclipse. While over a billion people around the world will be able to witness the event, including those in North America, cloud cover may impact visibility.
The weather forecast for Maryland predicts partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-40s, but be sure to check local weather updates from Chief Meteorologist Hunter Outten in the TVDelmarva Weather Center. NASA notes that the more clouds or dust in the atmosphere, the deeper the red hue of the moon. For those who miss this one, the next total lunar eclipse will take place on Sept. 7, but only visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The next chance for North Americans to see a total lunar eclipse will be on March 3, 2026.
(Photo submitted: Hunter Outten / Outten Astrophotography)
