Total Lunar Eclipse on March 3, 2026 — When to Watch and What to Expect

Stargazers should mark their calendars: a total lunar eclipse is expected on March 3, 2026. If skies are clear, much of the world will be able to watch the Moon pass through Earth’s shadow and, during totality, take on a reddish "blood moon" hue.

According to published schedules from TimeandDate, NASA and Space.com, here are the key phases for the event. Observers should confirm the times for their location, since listings may be given in UTC or another reference time.

Key Times (as listed by TimeandDate and NASA)

• Penumbral Eclipse Begins: March 3 at 3:44 a.m. — the Moon enters Earth’s outer shadow and begins to dim.
• Partial Eclipse Begins: March 3 at 4:50 a.m. — the Moon moves into Earth’s umbra and a visible dark bite appears.
• Full Eclipse (Totality) Begins: March 3 at 6:04 a.m. — the Moon is fully inside Earth’s umbra.
• Maximum Eclipse (Peak of Totality): March 3 at 6:33 a.m. — the deepest point of totality.
• Full Eclipse Ends: March 3 at 7:02 a.m. — the Moon begins to exit the umbra and the red coloration fades.
• Partial Eclipse Ends: March 3 at 8:17 a.m.
• Penumbral Eclipse Ends: March 3 at 9:23 a.m. — the Moon fully exits Earth’s penumbra and the event concludes.

Totality — the interval when the entire Moon lies in Earth’s umbra — lasts roughly from 6:04 a.m. to 7:02 a.m., about 58 minutes. Again, confirm whether the above times are shown in UTC or another time standard and convert to your local time accordingly.

Why the Moon Looks Red

During a total lunar eclipse, sunlight reaching the Moon has passed through Earth’s atmosphere. Shorter blue wavelengths scatter away, while longer red wavelengths are refracted toward the Moon — the same light that colors sunrises and sunsets — giving the lunar surface a coppery or deep red tint.

Viewing Tips

• Check local listings and weather forecasts; not every location will see the entire event and local times may differ.
• No special eye protection is needed to view a lunar eclipse (unlike a solar eclipse). Binoculars or a small telescope will enhance details but are not required.
• Find a dark spot with a clear view of the horizon and give your eyes a few minutes to adapt to the dark to better appreciate the color change.

Separately, TimeandDate also lists a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026. In Rhode Island that solar event will appear only as a partial eclipse, with under 15% of the Sun obscured and maximum coverage occurring just before 2 p.m. local time.

Data for this article are based on published schedules from TimeandDate, NASA and Space.com; the original item appeared in The Providence Journal.