Residents of Florida’s Treasure Coast can anticipate a captivating celestial event with a lunar eclipse, commonly known as a “blood moon,” set to take place starting late on March 13.
The lunar eclipse will unfold over the course of the night, transitioning through various phases. It begins with the penumbral phase at 11:57 PM on March 13, as the moon enters Earth’s shadow. As the night progresses, viewers will witness the partial lunar eclipse commencing at 1:09 AM on March 14. The full lunar eclipse, where the moon takes on a reddish hue, will start at 2:26 AM, reaching maximum totality at 2:58 AM. The eclipse will start to fade at 3:31 AM, gradually returning to a partial eclipse, and will eventually conclude, wrapping up the extended spectacle at 6 AM.
Lunar eclipses are a natural phenomenon where the sun, Earth, and moon align such that the moon passes into Earth’s shadow. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon is completely cloaked by Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of the shadow, resulting in a red-orange coloration. This striking visual effect is due to the scattering of sunlight by Earth’s atmosphere, casting a glow onto the lunar surface reminiscent of all the sunrises and sunsets across the globe.
Residents across the United States, particularly those in the eastern and southern parts of Florida, have a favorable chance of observing this astronomical event. According to meteorologists from AccuWeather and the National Weather Service, the forecast for locations like Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and Stuart on Thursday night calls for mostly clear skies. This forecast bodes well for eclipse visibility, allowing residents to enjoy the full splendor of the event without weather-related obstructions.
With optimal weather conditions forecasted along Florida’s Treasure Coast, residents are well-positioned to witness the majestic progression of the lunar eclipse from March 13 through early March 14.
