The ‘Blood Moon’ eclipse can detect the Milky Way and Northern Lights

The total lunar eclipse of the next week on March 13-14, 2025, could come with a rare heavenly bonus: the chance to witness the Milky Way and Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, along with the “blood moon”.

Thanks to a combination of heavenly mechanics and the solar cycle, Mars can see more, and more intense, the appearance of northern lights, while the lunar whole sees the sky easily dark as it makes some serous stargazing. The phase is set!

Why is the March is the prime minister for Aurora

Mars is historically a good month for Aurora because of the “equinox effect”. As the Vernal equinox approaches on March 20, the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the sun. During this time, the Earth’s magnetic field is slightly weakened, allowing the solar wind to interact more directly with the magnetosphere. Another factor is the russell-mcpherrron effect, by which the geometry of the Earth’s magnetic field and the magnetic field of solar wind act as reverse magnets that attract each other, according to Earthsky, opening cracks in the Earth’s magnetosphere that allow the most charged particles.

The role of ‘solar maximum’

Auroras are driven by geomagnetic storms, which occur when elevated solar activity – such as solar flames or mass coronal ejection – send clouds loaded with clouds to the Earth. In October 2024, solar scientists in NASA and the national administration of the ocean and atmosphere declared that the “maximum solar” had arrived. This is a peak in the approximately 11-year solar cycle when solar storms are more frequent and intense.

There is no guarantee, but if a geomagnetic storm of any type of even a poor G1 or G2 (the highest G5 being)-is foreseen by NOAA during the lunar eclipse week, northern lights may be visible to the south than is typical. Keep an eye on the NOAA 30-minute forecast, where the latest updates were posted.

How can the blood moon and aurora be lined up

March 14 sees a full moon, which is not a great time of the month to look for Aurora. After all, the bright light of the moon whitens the sky, making the faint green shapes in the night heaven more difficult to see. However, during the total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, the light of the full moon will be extinguished and then almost extinguished for 65 minutes of whole. As it shines red, the moon will be surrounded by Leo’s stars – and even traces of the Milky Way. Totality also occurs during late night hours, the darkest hours of the night.

Observers in the northern regions, such as Alaska, Canada and northern US states, are most likely to see Aurora if geomagnetic activity is high. However, there is another factor – light pollution. If you want to have the best chance of seeing stars around the moon and any potential auroras, you need to get away from light pollution.

It is also important to realize that Aurora usually occurs in the northern sky in North America, while the full moon will be fully eclipsed in the southern sky-so prepare to make frequent 180-scales!

Where to look for all three events

If you’re hoping to witness the “Blood Moon,” Milky Way and the Northern Lights All in One Night, Head to A Location with Minimal Light Pollute and an Unobstruted View of the Northern Horizon. Anywhere dark for the milky way – Summer Triangle Stars Rise in the East.

Remember to dress warmly because the March nights can be cold, especially in the northern regions. It is also wise to pack a wrapped chair, binoculars and a manual camera on a tripod-with a wide-angle lens if you want to try a “blood moon” and aurora in the same stroke.

Both forecasts you need to check

Continue to check the weather forecasts in the wake of March 13/14. A clear sky is absolutely essential if you will see anything of the “blood moon” or aurora, though only a short break in the clouds during the whole is required for the first. For the latter, keep an eye on the weather forecasts in space from NOAA weather in space to trace in geomagnetic predictions. Farther south.

Prepare for everything

This total lunar eclipse may already be the astronomical punctuation of 2025, but the potential for northern lights makes it even more exciting. However, it’s just potential – being in the right place at the right time does not guarantee you anything. If you go to a distant place in an attempt to see and photograph a “blood moon”, northern lights and milk path in a stroke, prepare for everything – including frustration. That being said, there is only one way to make sure you have no chance of catching this rare triple head, and that will not try it.

Wishing you to cleanse the sky and wide eyes.