The year’s next big astronomical event is happening this week.
For the first time in more than two years, the Earth will pass between the sun and the moon, creating a total lunar eclipse — known as a “blood moon” — visible across Iowa and the rest of the United States.
Here’s what to know about this week’s total lunar eclipse, including the best ways to see it from Iowa.
What time does the lunar eclipse start in Iowa?
The total lunar eclipse will start on Thursday night and continue through the early hours of Friday. In the U.S., the eclipse will start around 11:55 p.m. CT and is expected to last more than three and a half hours, according to NASA.
Here’s a schedule of the eclipse from start to beginning:
- 11:55 p.m. CDT: you can see the eclipse starting when the penumbral phase begins as the moon enters the outer part of the shadow and begins to subtly dim.
- 12:09 a.m.: A partial eclipse begins as the moon enters Earth’s umbra and starts to darken. To the naked eye, the moon should look like a bite is being taken out of the lunar disk.
- 1:26 a.m.: Totality occurs when the entire moon is under the umbra. This is when the reddish hues of the “blood moon” will be on display.
- 2:31 a.m.: As the moon exits the umbra, the red color will fade and another bite-like display, this time on the other side of the moon, will appear.
- 5 a.m.: The entire process should end by this time as the moon slowly exits the Earth’s penumbra.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned exactly between the moon and the sun. The Earth casts a shadow on the moon’s surface, dimming it.
The moon doesn’t produce its own light. It shines because its surface reflects the sun’s rays. So, when the Earth blocks the sun, a lunar eclipse occurs.
During a total lunar eclipse, some sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and then hits the moon’s surface. Because these longer wavelengths make it through the atmosphere, the shorter wavelengths have scattered away, making the moon appear orange or red, according to NASA.
Where in Iowa can I see the total lunar eclipse?
While the total lunar eclipse will be visible across all of Iowa, parts of the state with clear skies and away from bright city lights causing light pollution will make for the most optimal location.
Will Iowa have clear skies during the total lunar eclipse?
The daytime forecast in Des Moines on Thursday calls for clear skies and a high of 75 degrees. Similar conditions are expected across the state, with sunshine and temperatures in the 70s from Sioux City to Davenport.
Partly cloudy skies are expected in Des Moines at night, with a low of 54°F and wind gusts up to 22 mph.
The best viewing conditions are likely to be along the state’s eastern border or in far southwest Iowa.
When is the next total lunar eclipse?
According to the National Weather Service, the next total lunar eclipse won’t be visible in the U.S. until March 2026.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
