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By Melissa Fleur Afshar
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A total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of the U.S. on March 3, offering eager skywatchers a rare chance to see the Moon turn a deep red as it passes fully into Earth’s shadow.
The event, commonly known as a “blood moon,” requires no special equipment to view and may be the last opportunity for several years to see a total lunar eclipse with strong visibility from the country.
What Is a Total Lunar Eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, aligning all three bodies in a straight line. As the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon, the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow.
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When it enters the darkest part of that shadow, called the umbra, the Moon takes on a red or copper-colored appearance, giving rise to the term “blood moon.”
The red color is not caused by the Moon itself, but by Earth’s atmosphere. As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, shorter wavelengths such as blue and green are scattered.
Longer wavelengths—reds and oranges—continue through the atmosphere and are bent toward the Moon. This process, known as Rayleigh scattering, is the same effect that causes sunsets on Earth to appear red.
Sometimes a total lunar eclipse coincides with a period when the Moon is closer to Earth than usual. This event is often referred to as a “super blood moon,” because the Moon can appear slightly larger in the sky while still taking on its red hue.
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to observe with the naked eye. Anyone located on the night side of Earth while the Moon is above the horizon can see it, weather permitting.
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What Causes a Blood Moon?
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon moves through Earth’s shadow in stages. It first enters the penumbra, the outer portion of the shadow, where dimming is subtle. It then passes into the umbra, where the shadow becomes darker and more defined.
When the Moon is fully inside the umbra, totality occurs and the Moon appears red.
The color can vary from a faint copper tone to a deep rust red depending on atmospheric conditions, including how much dust or cloud cover is present in Earth’s atmosphere at the time.
Total Lunar Eclipse Timeline for March 3
The penumbral eclipse starts at 3:43 a.m. EST and lasts 1 hour and 6 minutes, with only slight dimming visible. The partial eclipse starts at 4:49 a.m. EST as the Moon enters the umbra, lasting 1 hour and 14 minutes.
Totality begins at 6:03 a.m. EST and lasts 59 minutes. The moment of greatest eclipse occurs at 6:33 a.m. EST, when the Moon will appear its darkest red and will be most striking to the eye.
The Moon then exits the umbra during a second partial phase starting at 7:02 a.m. EST, followed by a final penumbral phase from 8:17 a.m. EST until 9:23 a.m. EST.
Where the Eclipse Will Be Visible
Visibility will vary depending on location.
The western U.S. will be able to see more of the eclipse under darker skies, including much of totality. In the eastern U.S., sunrise may interfere with later stages, limiting how much of the event can be observed.
Even so, the March 3 blood moon stands out as one of the most accessible night-sky events of the year—and one that may not be matched again from the U.S. until 2029.
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