"Blood Moon" Total Lunar Eclipse to Illuminate Cape Verde's Skies in March 2025

Praia, Cape Verde - On March 14, 2025, the skies of Cape Verde will be the scene of a rare celestial spectacle: a total lunar eclipse, known as the "Blood Moon". This phenomenon occurs when the Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that gives the Moon a characteristic reddish color, caused by the scattering of sunlight by the Earth's atmosphere, which filters out the shorter wavelengths, such as blue, leaving red and orange to predominate.

Cape Verde's skies will be the scene of a rare celestial spectacle.

The eclipse will begin at 2:57 a.m. (Cape Verde local time, corresponding to UTC time), reach its peak of totality between 6:26 and 7:31 UTC (2:26 and 3:31 a.m. local time), and end at around 10:00 UTC (6:00 a.m.). With a duration of more than 65 minutes in the totality phase, this event will be one of the most impressive of 2025, visible over the entire western region of Africa, including Cape Verde, as well as North America, South America, parts of Western Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.

For residents of Cape Verde, the eclipse will be a unique opportunity to observe this natural phenomenon, which coincides with the "Worm Moon", the last full moon of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The country, known for its clear nights and starry skies, especially on islands such as São Vicente and Sal, is a privileged destination for amateur astronomers and enthusiasts wishing to witness the event. Local observatories, such as the University of Cape Verde's Astrophysics Center, are already planning public events to educate and engage the community.

The March 2025 eclipse marks the beginning of a tetrad - a series of four consecutive total lunar eclipses - with the next ones occurring on September 8, 2025, March 3, 2026 and August 28, 2026. This phenomenon is particularly significant for Cape Verde, where traditional astronomy has deep cultural roots, often linked to oral histories and the archipelago's maritime legacy.

While the eclipse will not be visible in countries such as India, due to its occurrence during the day, Cape Verde and other regions of West Africa will have a privileged view at night. For those interested in following the event, live broadcasts will be available on social media platforms such as YouTube and space agency websites such as NASA.

Local astronomers recommend that Cape Verdeans choose locations with little light pollution, such as rural areas or remote beaches, for a clearer experience. "This is a magical moment to connect our cultural heritage with modern science," said João Lopes, director of the Astrophysics Centre at the University of Cape Verde, who plans to organize an astronomy vigil on the island of Santiago.

The total lunar eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when the Moon passes completely through the umbra, the darkest shadow of the Earth, after crossing the penumbra, the lightest shadow. The reddish coloration, or "Blood Moon", is a spectacle that attracts millions of people around the world, and for Cape Verde, it represents an opportunity to promote astronomy tourism and strengthen its position as a unique destination in the Atlantic.