On March 3, countless individuals throughout the Americas, Asia, and Oceania will experience a total lunar eclipse, known as a blood moon, as the sun, Earth, and moon align perfectly, showcasing the intricate dynamics of the solar system in a breathtaking display.
The eclipse takes place when Earth aligns itself between the sun and the moon during the full “Worm Moon” phase, causing the lunar surface to be obscured while simultaneously illuminating it in a reddish hue that has been filtered through our planet’s thick atmosphere during totality.
Understanding Total Lunar Eclipses
Continue reading to learn what to anticipate during each stage of the March total lunar eclipse. Don’t forget, you can stay informed with the latest updates, images, and details about the blood moon by following our live blog on the eclipse.
Every eclipse happens at the same universal time for all, but the local time it occurs — and your chance to witness each phase — depends on your geographical position on Earth. Visit Time and Date’s eclipse tracker for accurate timings specific to your area, along with information on which phases will be observable from your location.
Phase of the penumbral eclipse
The Significance of Blood Moons
The eclipse will commence at 3:44 a.m. EST (0833 GMT), as the moon starts to enter Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra. The gradual dimming that appears on the lunar surface during this phase is quite subtle and can easily go unnoticed, becoming increasingly noticeable as this initial stage comes to an end.
The moon captured during the penumbral stage of a complete lunar eclipse. (Image credit: Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)
Current lunar phase
What to Expect During Totality
The graceful curve of Earth’s inner shadow will become apparent, encroaching upon the lunar surface at 4:50 a.m. EST (0950 GMT), signaling the start of the partial phase of the eclipse. Initially, the umbral shadow will appear dark during the first thirty minutes, gradually shifting to a brown and then a deep crimson shade just before totality, as our planet’s shadow consumes the final sliver of the moon’s visible crescent.
The shadow of Earth gradually covers the moon during a lunar eclipse. (Image credit: Photo by Necmettin Karaca/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Observers in the eastern United States, particularly in cities such as New York, will experience the full extent of the partial phase and the initial moments of totality before the moon descends below the western skyline at sunrise on March 3.
Viewing Tips for the Eclipse
Subscribe to the Space.com Newsletter for the latest in space exploration, updates on rocket launches, skywatching happenings, and more! Reach out to me with news and promotions from other Future brands. You may receive emails from us on behalf of our reliable partners or sponsors.
Complete eclipse – moment of totality
At 6:04 a.m. EST (1104 GMT), the moon will completely enter Earth’s umbral shadow, signaling the start of totality and the blood moon phase of the eclipse.
A crimson moon glows beside Tokyo’s Skytree tower in Japan. (Photo credit: STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)
This pivotal moment will endure for 58 minutes, during which the moon will take on a striking red color, as a process known as Rayleigh scattering eliminates the shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight, permitting the longer red wavelengths to illuminate the lunar surface.
Peak lunar shadow
The eclipse will peak at 6:33 a.m. EST (1133 GMT), when the moon will be nearest to the center of Earth’s shadow — although it will still be relatively close to the edge — during a phase referred to as the maximum of the eclipse.
A lunar eclipse observed in Vienna, Austria during September 2025. (Image credit: Photo by Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images)
Observers in states as far east as Alabama, Tennessee, western Ohio, and Michigan will experience the full 58 minutes of totality before the lunar disk descends, while those located further west — such as in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado — will also be able to view the diminishing partial phase.
A diminishing lunar eclipse
At 7:02 a.m. EST (1202 GMT), the total eclipse will conclude, revealing a delicate silvery crescent of the lunar surface as it gradually reappears from behind Earth’s massive shadow. The subsequent hours will witness it becoming increasingly pronounced, until our planet’s inner umbral shadow completely departs from the moon’s surface at 8:17 a.m. EST (1317 GMT), followed by the outer shadow at 9:23 a.m. EST (1423 GMT).
The shadow of the Earth is seen withdrawing from the surface of the moon during a lunar eclipse observed over Turkey. (Image credit: Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Do you want to capture your perspective of the blood moon on March 3? Be sure to explore our comprehensive guide on photographing a total lunar eclipse, along with our recommendations for the finest cameras and lenses for astrophotography available in 2026. Additionally, take a look at our selection of the best binoculars and telescopes for a closer examination of the lunar surface, especially if you’re eager to observe Earth’s natural satellite up close.
Note from the Editor: If you capture an image of the blood moon and wish to share it with the readers of Space.com, please forward your photo(s), along with your comments, name, and location, to spacephotos@space.com.