A new “supermoon” on Feb. 27, 2025, will set up the start of Ramadan, a total lunar eclipse on March … [+] 13-14 and a partial solar eclipse on March 29.
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A “supermoon” is about to cause a slew of astronomical events. At 7:45 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, there’s a new moon, when our natural satellite will be lost in the sun’s glare.
Although it won’t be precisely between Earth and the sun, it will be in exactly one orbit’s time to cause the second of two spectacular eclipses. Before that, however, the moon’s forthcoming appearance as a crescent is about to have consequences for billions of people on our planet.
Why Today’s New Moon Is A ‘Supermoon’
What is a supermoon, and when is the next one? The new moon this weekend is a supermoon, though it will get almost zero publicity and remain a little secret among stargazers. That’s because it’s a new moon, so it is not visible, so won’t get much attention. However, the concept is the same as a full supermoon.
The moon’s orbital path around Earth is slightly elliptical, meaning every single month, it reaches a point called apogee when it is farthest from Earth, and a point called perigee, when it is closest. A supermoon is merely the moon at perigee. They occur every month but in all kinds of different phases.
How perigee and apogee work — and explain the “supermoon.”
getty
Why ‘Supermoons’ Are Important
The reason supermoons are notable at full moon and new moon is the gravitational effects that they have on the tides in Earth’s oceans. A supermoon at a new moon causes the strongest king tides because of the combined gravitational effects of both the sun and the moon being on the same side of Earth. The next full supermoon is on Nov. 5, 2025.
Arguably, a supermoon at the new moon is more important than a supermoon at the full moon, particularly to those in coastal areas. It’s yet another reminder that humans tend to focus on things they can see rather than what’s really important. It’s a similar situation with the current “planet parade,” which is being perceived as a rare alignment when, in reality, it’s merely a line-of-sight illusion.
The Crescent Moon And Ramadan’s Beginning
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, begins with the sighting of the crescent moon following the new moon. Since the new moon occurs on Feb. 27, 2025, the first glimpse of the crescent moon — the “Ramadan Moon” — will likely be visible after sunset on Feb. 28 or March 1.
This sighting — likely only through large telescopes on Feb. 28 — will officially begin Ramadan. The Islamic calendar is entirely lunar-based, meaning Ramadan shifts earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, Ramadan will begin around Feb. 17-18, depending on when the crescent moon is first sighted.
The night sky an hour after sunset on March 2, 2025.
Stellarium
Watching The Crescent Moon And The ‘Planet Parade’
Seven planets are currently visible in the post-sunset sky, albeit with only Venus, Jupiter and Mars easily visible to the naked eye. Nevertheless, the crescent moon will dramatically improve the view from Saturday, March 1, when a 6%-lit crescent moon joins the fray just below Venus. On Sunday, March 2, 2025, it will be 12%-lit and just above Venus.
The ‘Blood Moon’ Total Lunar Eclipse On March 13-14, 2025
A few weeks later, on the night of March 13-14, 2025 — halfway through Ramadan — a total lunar eclipse will turn the full moon a deep red hue. Often called a “blood moon,” this total eclipse will be visible across North and South America, offering a spectacular sight in the night sky.
The event begins at 1:09 a.m. EDT, with totality lasting from 2:26 to 3:32 a.m. EDT. It will be the first total lunar eclipse since 2022, with a second one occurring later in 2025 on Sept. 7 for Asia. Lunar eclipses always come in pairs with solar eclipses, and this one is no exception.
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The Moon moves right to left, passing through the penumbra and umbra, … [+] leaving in its wake an eclipse diagram with the times at various stages of the eclipse.
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
The Partial Solar Eclipse On March 29, 2025
Two weeks after the total lunar eclipse, the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun again as a new moon, but this time, it will also cause a partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025. While not a total solar eclipse like the one on April 8, 2024, this event will still be remarkable, with up to 94% of the sun obscured at its peak.
For some observers in North America, the eclipse will begin at sunrise, creating a stunning crescent sun on the horizon. Locations in the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada will see a deep eclipse at sunrise, while Europe will experience it mid-morning. The best views in North America will be in Quebec and eastern Canada, where about 93% of the sun will be eclipsed during sunrise.
The Crescent Moon And Ramadan’s End
Since a solar eclipse always occurs at the new moon, it coincides with the end of Ramadan. Following the March 29 eclipse, observers will look westward just after sunset on March 30 and 31 for the first sighting of the new crescent moon, known as the “Shawwal Moon.” Its appearance signals the start of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
Wishing you wide eyes and clear skies.
