Lunar Eclipse to Color Maine Skies Before Sunrise: Short Window to See the Blood Moon

PORTLAND — A total lunar eclipse will light up Maine’s skies early Tuesday morning, a lunar eclipse that will coincide with March’s Worm Moon and offer a rare “blood moon” sight before sunrise. Observers are warned the best viewing window in Maine will be extremely brief.

Lunar Eclipse timing for Maine and what it means

The partial eclipse in Maine begins at 4: 49 a. m. (ET) Tuesday. Totality does not start until 6: 03 a. m. (ET), with the peak of the eclipse at 6: 33 a. m. (ET). The moon sets at 6: 15 a. m. (ET), which means the window to see the moon at its brightest is very short; to catch the best of the display, be outside and ready to look up before 6: 00 a. m. (ET).

Where the total lunar eclipse will be visible

The total lunar eclipse will be visible across North America, Central America, and parts of western South America, giving millions a chance to see the moon glow a deep reddish hue.

Why this is March’s Worm Moon and why it turns red

This event coincides with March’s full moon, known as the "worm moon, " the name marking the time of year when the ground begins to thaw and earthworms reappear as spring approaches. During a total lunar eclipse the Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, blocking the Sun's direct light and casting a shadow toward the moon. The darkest part of that shadow is called the umbra, where totality happens. The moon does not go completely dark; sunlight bends through Earth's atmosphere, scattering blue light and leaving red wavelengths to illuminate the lunar surface, producing the characteristic blood-red color.

Practical viewing notes for Maine observers

• Partial eclipse begins: 4: 49 a. m. (ET)
• Totality begins: 6: 03 a. m. (ET)
• Peak eclipse: 6: 33 a. m. (ET)
• Moonset: 6: 15 a. m. (ET)

Because the moon sets before the peak listed above, the available viewing timeline in Maine is compressed. Observers should plan to be outdoors and in a clear-sky location before 6: 00 a. m. (ET) to catch the most vivid portion of the blood moon.

Blood moon lunar eclipse (Jonathan Giles).

After this blood moon: the next total lunar eclipse

After this blood moon, there will not be another total lunar eclipse visible until New Years Eve, 2028.