Colorado residents and visitors can view a near-total lunar eclipse on Thursday night, Aug. 19, 2025 [1, 2].
This celestial event provides a rare opportunity for stargazers to witness a "blood moon," where the lunar surface takes on a reddish hue due to Earth's shadow.
About 96% of the moon will pass through Earth's umbra, the dark inner shadow [1]. This coverage will affect the Full Sturgeon Moon, causing most of the disc to change color [1]. While some reports classify the event as a partial lunar eclipse, the high percentage of coverage creates a near-total effect [2].
The eclipse is expected to reach its maximum point around 12:13 a.m. Friday [2]. Observers in Colorado will have a wide range of viewing options, though certain areas are better suited for the event. Locations with low light pollution, such as the San Juan National Forest, the Rocky Mountain foothills, and the outskirts of the Denver metro area, are recommended for the best visibility [3, 4].
Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for the event. Cloud cover will most likely not be a big issue on Thursday night for the near-total lunar eclipse, a reporter from 9 News Australia said [4].
Viewers do not need specialized equipment to see the event, though telescopes can enhance the experience. The transition into the umbra begins Thursday night and continues into the early hours of Friday morning [2].
“About 96% of the moon will pass through Earth's dark inner shadow”
A lunar eclipse of this magnitude is significant because it nearly reaches the threshold of a total eclipse. The reddish color occurs because Earth's atmosphere bends sunlight and filters out shorter wavelengths, allowing only the longer red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface. For Colorado observers, the combination of high altitude and low light pollution in mountain regions makes the state an ideal geographic location for astronomical observation.
