<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians have the chance to witness a rare 'blood moon' this week, the first of its kind in almost three years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The exciting astronomical event will see the moon bathed in red light for a few short but striking moments on the evening of Friday, March 14.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The blood moon will be visible all over Australia but you'll have to be quick, as the eerie effect isn't going to last long.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ex-cyclone-alfred-2025-flood-emergency-south-east-queensland-northern-nsw-updates-warnings/1ce5b96f-ed35-45a0-8fba-ceb17560ae72" rel="" target="_blank" title="Thousands still without power after ex-Cyclone Alfred"><strong><span>Thousands still without power after ex-Cyclone Alfred</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here's everything you need to know about the blood moon including what it is, how to see it and when it will be most visible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>What is a blood moon?</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It sounds spooky but a blood moon is actually just a kind of lunar eclipse; specifically, a total lunar eclipse.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/blood-moon-2025-march-total-lunar-eclipse-when-how-to-watch-best-visibility-australia-everything-to-know/dcd738cf-be29-404f-b107-c52e473b3746" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, blocking all direct sunlight from reaching the moon's surface.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, some light can still reach the moon through the Earth's atmosphere.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This light appears orange or red because only longer wavelengths can make it through the atmosphere without scattering, leaving only the deepest, warmest colours visible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the term blood moon isn't scientifically recognised, it's commonly used to describe these kinds of eclipses which leave the moon bathed in eerie red light.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/israel-cuts-electricity-supply-to-gaza/84763966-d5a9-4614-9526-63e2e776f776" target="_blank"><strong><span>Israel says it is cutting off its electricity supply to Gaza</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/world/2018/07/28/08/30/blood-moon-lunar-eclipse-phenomenon-earth-asia-south-america-australia-europe"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/OaBZWz-FwMVNG53Iz6zJ6ALJXqc=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F28%2F08%2F16%2F20180728001355555006original.jpg" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/OaBZWz-FwMVNG53Iz6zJ6ALJXqc=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F28%2F08%2F16%2F20180728001355555006original.jpg 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/JjKmuOYwX71qMNzNHkmOiTudoaQ=/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F28%2F08%2F16%2F20180728001355555006original.jpg 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">What the eclipse looked like around the world</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/world/2018/07/28/08/30/blood-moon-lunar-eclipse-phenomenon-earth-asia-south-america-australia-europe">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>What is a lunar eclipse?</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A lunar eclipse occurs any time the moon moves into the Earth's shadow, leaving the moon partially or wholly darkened as light from the sun cannot reach it.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There are several different kinds of lunar eclipses and they can occur quite frequently, though some are more rare than others.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A penumbral lunar eclipse only causes a subtle dimming effect, while a partial lunar eclipse typically dims only part of the moon's surface.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A total lunar eclipse, wherein the whole surface is dimmed and may appear red, is more rare.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A central lunar eclipse is relatively rare and occurs when the moon passes near and through the centre of Earth's shadow and a selenelion or 'horizontal eclipse' is when both the sun and an eclipsed moon are visible in the sky at the same time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses can be safely viewed without eye protection.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-alfred-update-intense-rainfall-across-south-east-queensland-northern-nsw/32313cd1-fc08-440e-ab16-f30e85f48883" target="_blank"><strong><span>Emergency warning on Gold Coast as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred dumps deluge</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>How rare is a blood moon/total lunar eclipse?</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Total lunar eclipses are more rare than penumbral or partial lunar eclipse.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The last blood moon occurred in November 2022 and was visible with the naked eye in the Australian night sky.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After the March 14 blood moon, the next total lunar eclipse is expected to take place in Australia on September 7 and 8, 2025.</span></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/technology/2017/07/14/11/09/nasa-space-photos-stars-planets"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/W1jyB3wTIQByWveIk39e7Au1i18=/305x0:2000x953/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F2fa18117-6648-460e-86e4-1013b2af1f0f" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/W1jyB3wTIQByWveIk39e7Au1i18=/305x0:2000x953/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F2fa18117-6648-460e-86e4-1013b2af1f0f 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/CUK5GylHAZmsEZLjTOYzTjIP6fU=/305x0:2000x953/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F2fa18117-6648-460e-86e4-1013b2af1f0f 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Lander's incredible close-up shot of the moon's hidden side</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/technology/2017/07/14/11/09/nasa-space-photos-stars-planets">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>What is the best time to see the blood moon in 2025?</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The blood moon will appear on Friday night and will last between 55 and 80 minutes, however only part of the eclipse will be visible as it will begin before the moon has risen in most capital cities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The best time to view the blood moon will be right on moonrise, as the eclipse is likely to finish soon after in most cities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Expected moonrise times in Australia's capital cities are as follows:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>Sydney – 7.13pm</span></li><li><span>Melbourne – 7.40pm</span></li><li><span>Brisbane – 6.04pm</span></li><li><span>Canberra – 7.22pm</span></li><li><span>Adelaide – 7.35pm</span></li><li><span>Darwin – 7.02pm</span></li><li><span>Hobart – 7.32pm</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More details on when the blood moon will be visible in cities around the country can be found on </span><a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2025-march-14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="TimeandDate.com."><span>TimeandDate.com.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>Where is the best place to see the blood moon in 2025?</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The best place to witness a lunar eclipse of any kind is a high vantage point with a clear view of the eastern horizon and limited artificial light sources.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Somewhere dark without any visual obstructions is best, but the blood moon will be visible from most major cities too.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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