The Blood Moon

Tonight’s Blood Moon: How to See the Total Lunar Eclipse in the High Desert.

If you step outside tonight and catch the Moon looking a little… dramatic, you’re not imagining it. A total lunar eclipse - aka the Blood Moon - will be visible overnight into the early morning hours, and the High Desert is one of the most magical places to watch it.

Here’s what’s happening, when to look, and how to get the best view.

What is a Blood Moon?

A Blood Moon happens during a total lunar eclipse, when the Earth slides directly between the Sun and the Moon. Instead of the Moon disappearing, it turns coppery-red because sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere and filters onto the Moon’s surface - kind of like every sunrise and sunset on Earth happening at once, projected onto the Moon.

No special glasses needed (that’s for solar eclipses). This one is safe to watch with your eyes.

When to watch tonight (Pacific Time)

For Southern California / Joshua Tree / Twentynine Palms, these are the key moments to catch:

• 12:44 am - Penumbral eclipse begins (subtle dimming starts)

• 1:50 am - Partial eclipse begins (the “bite” out of the Moon becomes obvious)

• 3:04 am - 4:03 a.m. - Totality (the Blood Moon glow)

• 5:17 am - Partial eclipse ends

• 6:23 am - Eclipse ends

If you only set an alarm once: aim for 3:00 - 4:00 a.m. for the full Blood Moon moment.

Get out there and look up.