March 3 Total Lunar Eclipse Will Be The Last Until 2028
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Skywatchers are in for a treat. On March 3, 2026, a spectacular total lunar eclipse will turn the Moon a deep reddish color, creating what is known as a "Blood Moon." The eclipse will be visible wherever the Moon is above the horizon during the event. This includes much of the Americas, Australia and East Asia. This will be the last total lunar eclipse until late 2028.
What causes a total lunar eclipse?
Lunar eclipses happen only during a full moon, when Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon. This blocks some of the Sun’s light and casts a shadow on the Moon. But not all lunar eclipses look the same. During a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through the outer, lighter part of Earth’s shadow. So, the change in color is very subtle. In a partial lunar eclipse, only a section of the Moon enters Earth’s darkest shadow. This causes that area to appear darkened.
A total lunar eclipse is different. It occurs when the Sun, Earth, and full Moon are perfectly aligned. This causes the entire Moon to move into Earth’s darkest shadow. The Earth blocks the Sun's direct rays, but some sunlight bends around the edge. As it passes through our atmosphere, the shorter green and blue wavelengths are scattered, while the longer red wavelengths continue on to the Moon. Hence, instead of going dark, the Moon turns into an orangish-red color, or what we call "Blood Moon."
"The exact color that the moon appears depends on the amount of dust and clouds in the atmosphere," NASA scientists told Space.com. "If there are extra particles in the atmosphere, from say a recent volcanic eruption, the moon will appear a darker shade of red."
What time is the March eclipse?
In the US, the eclipse will be best viewed along the West Coast, where the skies will still be dark. The Moon will enter Earth’s outer shadow at 12:44 am PST. By 3:04 am PST, Earth will completely cover the Moon for about 58 minutes, giving it an eerie reddish-brown hue. The eclipse will start to reverse at 4:02 am PST, and the Moon will be fully visible again by 6:23 am PST.
What do I need to watch the eclipse?
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses do not require special glasses. They also last several hours, giving fans plenty of time to enjoy the spectacle.
Resources: NASA.gov, Space.com
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9 Comments
gimkitloverabout 12 hourswish I could stay up
buckbeakfanabout 13 hoursDude where I live it starts at 2am and ends at 4am, , sooooooooooooooo wish I could see it!
hi24281234about 16 hoursIt is so cool, like it looks like it is night.- motosozuvivaabout 18 hoursI love this
ilovehenrydsafabout 18 hoursDang. As soon as I became an actual serious stargazer, I get a blood moon that will be too late for my parents to let me see, AND THEN its also gonna be the last one all the way until 2028? Oh boy. I really wanna see this.
longlivetheuirabout 18 hoursSo a Total Lunar Eclipse is basically just a Blood Moon.- revamiryjediabout 12 hoursExcept what's different about an eclipse is that it blinds your eyesight if you look at it without special sunglasses, or something like that.
gejukujovoryabout 18 hoursThis is so cool i just wish it wasn't the last until 2028.- gejukujovoryabout 19 hoursbroo Luner eclipse! and the last one for two years! i wanna go see that
