When is the next eclipse of the Sun and the Moon? Here is your 2025 Eclipse Calendar with the dates and information for solar and lunar eclipses, courtesy of The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac. Plus, we’ll explain the different types of eclipses.
Eclipse Dates for 2025
There will be four eclipses in 2025, two of the Sun and two of the Moon.Did you know that eclipses have a “season”—one of many celestial cycles? Two of the eclipses occur in the spring season, and two in the fall season. Eclipse seasons repeat (just shy of) every six calendar months.
March 13–14: Total Eclipse of the Moon
This eclipse is visible from North America. The Moon will enter the penumbra at 11:56 P.M. EDT (8:56 P.M. PDT) on March 13 and the umbra at 1:09 A.M. EDT on March 14 (10:09 P.M. PDT, March 13). It will leave the umbra at 4:48 A.M. EDT (1:48 A.M. PDT) on March 14 and the penumbra at 6:02 A.M. EDT (3:02 A.M. PDT).
March 29: Partial Eclipse of the Sun
This eclipse is visible from northeastern North America, although it will be difficult to observe in the U.S. without an unobstructed view of the horizon. Sunrise times: Sunrise is at 6:31 EDT in Boston, but when the eclipse ends at 7:07 A.M. EDT, it will be only about 6 degrees above the horizon. Observers in some areas of eastern Canada, including Newfoundland and Labrador, will have a better view of the eclipse. As with all partial eclipses, this event is safe to observe only when using proper eye protection, such as “eclipse glasses.”
September 7: Total Eclipse of the Moon
This eclipse is not visible from North America, although a brief period of the penumbral eclipse will be visible from Hawaii and very western Alaska before the Moon sets. Since the Moon will be very low on the horizon, this portion of the eclipse may not be visible from these areas if the Moon is obscured by local terrain. The Moon will enter the penumbra at 5:27 A.M. HAT and set just after 6:00 A.M. HAT.
September 21: Partial Eclipse of the Sun
This eclipse is not visible from North America. (It is visible only from the South Pacific, New Zealand, and parts of Antarctica.)
Difference Between Solar and Lunar Eclipses
See below for more explanations of the different types of eclipses.
What is a Lunar Eclipse?
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon appears dark or dimmed. This happens because the Earth is positioned exactly between the Moon and the Sun, blocking much of the sunlight from reaching the Moon’s surface. Instead, Earth’s shadow is cast upon the Moon’s surface.
Sometimes, the Moon appears reddish-orange during an eclipse. This is because some of the light from the Sun makes it through Earth’s atmosphere. But only longer wavelengths make it; these are the red and orange colors.
A lunar eclipse only happens on the full Moon. The eclipse is technically visible from the entire night side of Earth, but the dimming of the Moon’s illumination is slight during a penumbral eclipse. Learn more about lunar terminology.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
During a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the Sun from view. The Moon, Earth, and Sun are aligned with the Moon stuck in the middle. If the alignment is perfect, the Moon completely blocks our view of the Sun, casting its dark shadow on Earth. If the alignment is a little off-center, the Moon may just partially block our view of the Sun.
Though lunar eclipses and solar eclipses happen with the same frequency (about 4 to 7 times a year, in total), it’s rare to see a solar eclipse since they are only visible from a small area of Earth each time. Once again, note that solar eclipses require eye protection to be viewed safely.
More Types of Eclipses
Not all eclipses are the same. There are a few different ways for lunar and solar eclipses to happen:
- A total eclipse (of either the Moon or the Sun) occurs when the Moon or Sun is entirely blocked out.
- During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is completely obscured by the dark center of Earth’s shadow (called the umbra), giving the Moon a dark, reddish hue.
- During a total solar eclipse, the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon, resulting in a brief period of awe-inspiring darkness.
- A partial eclipse (of either the Moon or the Sun) occurs when only part of the Moon or Sun is obscured.
- An annular eclipse is a type of solar eclipse. Annular eclipses are similar to total solar eclipses (where the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon), but in an annular eclipse, the Moon’s apparent size is smaller than the Sun’s, meaning that the Sun is not completely obscured. This results in a very bright ring of light called an annulus.
- A penumbral eclipse is a type of lunar eclipse. Penumbral eclipses occur when the Moon enters only the faint outer edge of Earth’s shadow (called the penumbra), which causes the Moon to appear slightly darker than usual. The effect is so slight that a penumbral eclipse can be hard to recognize unless you know to look for it!
You can read more about the types of solar eclipses here.
More Information About Eclipses