A total lunar eclipse will redden the Moon in the early morning hours Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Here’s what you need to know.

How Does a Lunar Eclipse Work?

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, casting a gigantic shadow across the lunar surface and turning the Moon a deep reddish-orange. This alignment can only occur during a full Moon phase.

(On the West Coast, the eclipse will start at 1:44 a.m. PST, and reach the blood moon stage at 3:04 a.m. The blood moon will last 59 minutes.)

How Can I Observe the Eclipse?

You can observe a lunar eclipse without any special equipment. All you need is a line of sight to the Moon! For a more dramatic observing experience, seek a dark environment away from bright lights. Binoculars or a telescope can also enhance your view.

On March 3, totality will be visible in the evening from eastern Asia and Australia, throughout the night in the Pacific, and in the early morning in North and Central America and far western South America. The eclipse is partial in central Asia and much of South America. No eclipse is visible in Africa or Europe.

Why is a Lunar Eclipse Sometimes Called a ‘Blood Moon’?

During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon appears dark red or orange. This is because our planet blocks most of the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon, and the light that does reach the lunar surface is filtered through a thick slice of Earth’s atmosphere. It’s as if all of the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon.

Learn more: Why does the Moon turn red during a solar eclipse?

What Else Can I Observe the Night of the Eclipse?

As Earth’s shadow dims the lunar surface, constellations may be easier to spot than they usually are during a full Moon. At the time of the eclipse, the Moon will be in the constellation Leo, under the lion’s hind paws.

Several days later, on March 8, look for a “conjunction” of Venus and Saturn: from our perspective on Earth, these two planets will appear close to each other in the sky (though they’ll still be very distant from each other in space).

Visit our What’s Up guide for more skywatching tips, and find lunar observing recommendations for each day of the year in our Daily Moon Guide.

About the Reporter

Caela Barry is Deputy Director of International Observe the Moon Night, specializing in website work and digital communications. She works with research teams at Goddard Space Flight Center and the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute to support and expand public access to NASA science.