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A complete lunar eclipse, also called a “blood moon”, will be observable from within North America on March 3rd, 2026.(Image credit: Mariano Sayno/Getty Images)
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Stargazers throughout western North America will have the chance to observe a complete lunar eclipse, often called a “blood moon”, during the initial hours of the morning of March 3.
A complete lunar eclipse takes place when the full moon — in this instance, the full “Worm Moon” of March — travels across the Earth’s cosmic shadow. While doing this, it looks reddish because it is illuminated solely through sunlight that passes through Earth’s atmosphere.
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This includes the nighttime side of Earth, that will be focused over the Pacific Ocean at the time the eclipse is occurring. As a result, Hawaii, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands will likely be in the most advantageous location, but East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the western part of North America are also expected to have good views.
Within North America, those situated to the west of the Mississippi River will witness the complete event, whereas those observers in the east — like those found in places such as New York, Boston and Toronto — will see the moon descending as totality unfolds. Individuals rising early along the West Coast and Hawaii will have a high chance of observing the whole sequence high in the sky. Clear skies will be key, making the U.S. Southwest and northwest Mexico the most probable areas to view the entire event.
The times detailed below are scheduled times for the total phase of the eclipse, based on data released by Time and Date:
EST: 6:04-7:02 a.m. (The moon will set during this period.)
CST: 5:04-6:02 a.m.
MST: 4:04-5:02 a.m.
PST: 3:04-4:02 a.m
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AKST: 2:04-3:02 a.m.
HST: 1:04-2:02 a.m.
While the primary appeal will be the totality phase, the partial phases, both before and after totality, are also worthwhile to witness, wherein the rim of Earth’s shadow can be observed slowly traversing the moon’s facade.
The March 3 occurrence marks the first complete lunar eclipse since September of 2025 as well as the last one until December 31st, 2028, at which point a festive “blood moon” on New Year’s Eve will commence three total lunar eclipses, with the following two falling on June 25-26 and December 20, 2029.
Jamie CarterSocial Links NavigationLive Science contributor
Jamie Carter is a freelance science reporter from Cardiff, U.K., as well as a recurring contributor at Live Science. He is the writer of A Stargazing Program For Beginners and co-author of The Eclipse Effect, and leads international star-gazing and eclipse-chasing trips. His work often is featured within Space.com, Forbes, New Scientist, BBC Sky at Night, Sky & Telescope, along with other notable science and astronomy magazines. He also holds the position of editor at WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com.
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