Utah skywatchers are in for a celestial treat this Thursday night, March 13, as a total lunar eclipse will be visible across the state. The event, lasting approximately six hours, will provide a stunning view of Earth’s shadow gradually covering the moon before turning it a striking shade of red.

According to NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador to Utah, Patrick Wiggins, the eclipse will begin just after 10 p.m. when the moon enters earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra. “At this point, the shading is subtle, and many may not even notice a change,” Wiggins explained. However, the real show begins just after 11 p.m. when the moon moves into the darker umbra, marking the start of the partial eclipse.

The main event will occur at 12:26 a.m. Friday morning, when the moon becomes fully engulfed in earth’s shadow, signaling the beginning of totality. At this time, the moon will appear high in the southeastern sky. “Totality will peak at 12:59 a.m. and last until 1:32 a.m.,” Wiggins added. “The moon will then gradually emerge from the shadow, with the partial eclipse ending at 2:48 a.m.” Some light shading may still be visible for another half hour after that.

During totality, the moon can take on a range of colors, from a dim gray to deep copper or even blood red. The exact hue depends on how much sunlight bends around earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter wavelengths of light and allowing red and orange hues to reach the moon.

This particular eclipse could have an extra special aspect. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost spacecraft, currently on the lunar surface, will be observing the event from the moon’s perspective. While earth-based viewers witness a total lunar eclipse, the spacecraft will experience a solar eclipse, with earth blocking the Sun from view. Data and images from Blue Ghost are expected to provide unique insights into how eclipses affect the lunar surface.

The last total lunar eclipse visible from Utah occurred in 2022, and the next one won’t take place until March 2026. Unlike solar eclipses, which require special eye protection, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to observe with the naked eye. Binoculars or telescopes can enhance the view, but no special equipment is needed — just clear skies and a willingness to stay up late.

For those who miss this event, there are still plenty of celestial happenings to look forward to, including meteor showers and planetary alignments in the coming months. But for now, Utahns should mark their calendars and prepare for a breathtaking display in the night sky this Thursday night.