A lunar eclipse is happening right above us in just a few months—are you ready? Events like a lunar eclipse can bring classroom lessons to life while inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts. This approaching celestial event promises to bring the wonder of the cosmos right to your backyard. Mobile Ed has put together a resource for educators with all the information you need to transform this event into a teaching moment.
A lunar eclipse only occurs during a full moon and happens when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon. The upcoming eclipse will be a total lunar eclipse, which is often referred to as a "blood moon" due to the moon's reddish appearance during totality. This phenomenon happens as the Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths of light while allowing the longer red wavelengths to reach the moon.
A lunar eclipse is created when the Earth's shadows are projected onto the moon, and two types of shadows are created: the Umbra and the Penumbra. The umbra is the darkest part of the eclipse and gets smaller the further the shadows get from the sun. Earth's umbra must completely cover the moon's surface during a total lunar eclipse. The Penumbra are the larger shadows cast from Earth that go out at an angle, surrounding the umbra.
Even though full moons happen every month, lunar eclipses don't happen that often. The reason for this is due to the moon's angled orbit around the Earth. The moon often goes above or below Earth's shadow as it orbits around. As a result, lunar eclipses can't happen each month and occur a few times a year.
The eclipse will take place just after midnight on the morning of Friday, March 14, 2025, with the total phase lasting approximately 65 minutes. All of North America will be able to witness this cosmic event! Unlike a solar eclipse, this event can be enjoyed with the naked eye, although binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the experience. Be sure to set your alarms on Thursday night!
Lunar eclipses are more than just breathtaking sights; they’re incredible teaching moments. For students, observing an eclipse can spark curiosity about astronomy and provide a tangible connection to scientific concepts like Earth's orbit and the role of the atmosphere. This truly is the perfect and unique opportunity to engage kids and extend your class lessons outside the classroom.
Not only do cosmic events help demonstrate classroom lessons to real life, but they also can help inspire your students in ways we may not even know. Seeing science in action is one of the best ways to teach students the importance of learning in our lives, inspiring lifelong learning and potentially new passions and careers from your students.
Don't miss this opportunity, teachers! Connecting our classroom lessons to real-life experiences is an engaging and effective way to get our students excited about learning and help students see the relevance of their classroom lessons. Here's how you can make the most of the 2025 lunar eclipse in your classroom:
Want to Take Your Students’ Learning to the Next Level?
We sincerely hope this guide to the 2025 lunar eclipse was helpful for you and your class. If your students are ready to expand their knowledge of space through more interactive experiences, we invite you to learn more about Mobile Ed Productions’ well-known Sky Dome Planetarium. The Sky Dome Planetarium assembly offers your students a fun, interactive, and up-close experience of the moon and beyond. Contact us to learn more about this out-of-this-world experience!