The total lunar eclipse on September 7, 2025, has passed. The next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 3, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
The moon will pass through Earth’s umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow, on Monday night, March 2-3, 2026, creating a total lunar eclipse (blood moon).
Stages of the total lunar eclipse in March 2026 (including time)
Penumbral lunar eclipse begins (P1) (March 3, 08:44 UTC)
The penumbral lunar eclipse will begin on March 3, 2026, at 08:44 UTC (3:44 a.m. EST), when the moon enters Earth’s penumbra, or the outer part of Earth’s shadow.
The moon will appear slightly dimmer than usual. However, the effect will be so subtle that it may be difficult to notice.
Partial lunar eclipse begins (U1) (March 3, 09:50 UTC)
The partial lunar eclipse will begin on March 3, 2026, at 09:50 UTC (4:50 a.m. EST), when the moon enters Earth’s umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow.
The moon will appear like a bite is being taken out of one side.
Total lunar eclipse begins (U2) (March 3, 11:04 UTC)
The total lunar eclipse will begin on March 3, 2026, at 11:04 UTC (6:04 a.m. EST), when the moon completely enters Earth’s umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow.
The moon will turn a reddish-orange color.
Moment of greatest eclipse (March 3, 11:34 UTC)
The moment of greatest eclipse will happen on March 3, 2026, at 11:34 UTC (6:34 a.m. EST), when the moon is halfway through Earth’s umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow.
Total lunar eclipse ends (U3) (March 3, 12:03 UTC)
The total lunar eclipse will end on March 3, 2026, at 12:03 UTC (7:03 a.m. EST), when the moon exits Earth’s umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow.
The red color of the moon will fade gradually. The moon will appear like a bite is being taken out from the other side, which will shrink over time.
Partial lunar eclipse ends (U4) (March 3, 13:17 UTC)
The partial lunar eclipse will end on March 3, 2026, at 13:17 UTC (8:17 a.m. EST), when the moon completely exits Earth’s umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow. The moon is now completely inside Earth’s penumbra, or the outer part of Earth’s shadow.
Again the moon will appear slightly dimmer than usual.
Penumbral lunar eclipse ends (P4) (March 3, 14:23 UTC)
The penumbral lunar eclipse will end on March 3, 2026, at 14:23 UTC (9:23 a.m. EST), when the moon completely exits Earth’s penumbra, or the outer part of Earth’s shadow.
The moon will return to its normal state.
Visibility of the total lunar eclipse in March 2026
The total lunar eclipse on March 2-3, 2026, will be visible from Eastern Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and the Americas. No eclipse will be visible from Europe or Africa. See the visibility map below.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth is precisely between the sun and moon, and the moon passes through Earth’s umbra, or the inner part of Earth’s shadow.
Why is a total lunar eclipse called a blood moon?
Our Earth cannot block all of the sunlight during a total lunar eclipse. Some of the sunlight reaches the lunar surface through Earth’s atmosphere.
Now, when sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, light with shorter wavelengths like blue is scattered more easily than light with longer wavelengths like red.
As a result, light with longer wavelengths like red only reaches the lunar surface during a total lunar eclipse, making the moon appear red.
Since the moon appears deep red during a total lunar eclipse, it is called a blood moon.
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