Blood moon 2025: When will the total lunar eclipse peak in Kentucky?

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — The “worm moon” will appear to turn to blood early Friday, and Kentuckians aren’t going to want to miss it wriggle into the shadow of the Earth.

According to NASA, the moon will start to enter the partial shadow of the Earth beginning at 11:57 p.m. on Thursday and will enter the full shadow around 1:09 a.m. The total lunar eclipse will peak at 2:26 a.m. and last until 3:31 a.m.

At totality, the moon will appear a bloodred hue due to the color-changing effect of light as it bends around the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. In fact, if someone looked at the Earth from the surface of the moon, it would appear to be surrounded by a vivid ring of red light, according to space.com.

When, how to watch the lunar eclipse in Kentucky

Stargazing enthusiasts should take note of the following timeline for the lunar eclipse for the best viewing experience:

• 11:57 p.m.: The moon will enter the outer part of the Earth’s shadow, which will cause slight dimming.
• 1:09 a.m.: The partial eclipse begins, and a bite-shaped chunk of the moon will darken noticeably.
• 2:26 a.m.: Totality begins with the moon turning a copper-like red, and photographers should use a tripod and adjust settings to allow more light to enter the lens (longer exposure).
• 3:31 a.m.: Totality ends with the redness starting to fade out of the moon. It will again appear that a bite has been taken out of the moon as it passes out of the shadow, this time on the other side.
• 4:47 a.m.: The entire moon is still partially in Earth’s shadow, and the brightness has not entirely returned.
• 6 a.m.: The eclipse is over.

Currently, the FOX 56 Weather Authority is calling for decent cloud cover and a chance for showers in the Lexington area ahead of a storm system that’s expected to impact the area on Saturday.

The origins of the “worm moon”

The “worm moon” dates its origins to the Maine Farmers’ Almanac, which began using Native American names for full moons in the 1930s, according to NASA. Lore states that the moon was named after the tendency of earthworm casts to appear as the ground thaws, often seen in March.

NASA notes that other names for the March full moon include the “crow moon” due to the common cawing of the crow to signal the end of winter, and the “sugar moon” since this time of year is the best time to tap maple trees.