Illinois Gets A Blood Moon Total Lunar Thursday Night

We got a great look at a solar eclipse last spring on April 8th, but it's been awhile since people here in Illinois or anywhere else in the country have gotten to enjoy the view of a full lunar eclipse. As a matter of fact, you'd have to go back to May of 2022 for the last total lunar eclipse.

It's 2025 now, and we're about to get another chance to see not only a full lunar eclipse, which is defined as "an astronomical event that occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened," but a Blood Moon at the same time.

Even though that description doesn't sound very exciting, you should head outside tonight after midnight, because I think you'll want to check this one out.

March Is Known For Being The Start Of The Spring Season, But March Also Kicks Off Eclipse Season--And The First Eclipse Of The Season Is Happening Next Friday, March 14th (We're Also Going To Be Seeing A Partial Solar Eclipse On March 29th)

One of the cool things about a lunar eclipse, at least for those wanting to view it, is that you don't need any special equipment--because it happens after dark. You probably recall how some very smart entrepreneurs made some serious money by selling solar eclipse "goggles," or "shades." Remember these from last year?

Here's What You Need To Know If You Want To Do Some Skywatching And Catch The Full Lunar Eclipse And Blood Moon Here In Illinois

For those of us in Illinois, the lunar eclipse and Blood Moon will start to unfold after 1:00am on Friday morning. Or, to put it another way, head outside after midnight Thursday night so your eyes can get accustomed to the darkness before the eclipse starts.

According to the experts at Space.com, "totality (the period when the moon is completely engulfed in Earth's shadow) will last for approximately 65 minutes. Key viewing times across different time zones include:"

• Eastern Time (ET): 2:26 a.m. — 3:31 a.m. (March 14)
• Central Time (CT): 1:26 a.m. — 2:31 a.m. (March 14)
• Mountain Time (MT): 12:26 a.m. — 1:31 a.m. (March 14)
• Pacific Time (PT): 11:26 p.m. (March 13) — 12:31 a.m. (March 14)
• Alaska Time (AKDT): 10:26 p.m. — 11:31 p.m. (March 13)
• Hawaii Time (HST): 8:26 p.m. — 9:31 p.m. (March 13)

For the full experience, it's worth heading outside about 75 minutes before and after these times to see the moon gradually enter and exit Earth's shadow.