A total lunar eclipse will be visible on March 3, marking the first such celestial event of 2026. Since the full Moon will pass through Earth's shadow, the lunar surface will appear dark red or orange, leading to a rare astronomical occurrence known as "blood moon".
The first total lunar eclipse of the year will be visible across North America, Australia, New Zealand and East Asia. In the early morning hours on March 3, the full moon will pass through the Earth's shadow, according to NASA.
"A total lunar eclipse is coming. In the early morning hours of March 3, 2026 (UTC), the full Moon will pass through Earth's shadow, reddening the lunar surface," NASA said in a post on X.
Why Does A Total Lunar Eclipse Happen?
The rare celestial event takes place when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon. This blocks most of the Sun's light from reaching the lunar surface. The light that does reach the Moon is filtered through the Earth's atmosphere, casting a huge shadow across the lunar surface. The Moon then looks a deep reddish-orange.
Where Is The Lunar Eclipse Visible?
The eclipse will begin at 3:44 am EST with the Penumbral eclipse, when the Moon enters the Earth's penumbra. Totality, or when the Moon is fully immersed in Earth's shadow, will last from 6:04 am EST to 7:02 am EST. The Penumbral eclipse will be over at 9:23 am EST, marking the end of the eclipse.
In India, the lunar eclipse will be visible partially, while it can be watched in totality in parts of the United States and Western Europe. Skywatchers in India can only watch the Blood Moon during the penumbral phase.
The totality of the lunar eclipse will be visible on the evening of March 3 in eastern Asia and Australia. People living in the Pacific region can watch the phenomenon throughout the night. Those living in North and Central America and far western South America will see the totality eclipse in the early morning of March 3. However, the eclipse is partial in much of South America and central Asia, NASA stated. People in Europe or Africa won't be able to see the blood moon at all.
Where to Watch Lunar Eclipse?
Unlike a solar eclipse, people do not need any special equipment. Go to a dark environment away from bright city lights. It's advisable to use binoculars or a telescope to enhance your view. During the eclipse, the Moon will be in the constellation Leo, under its hind paws.
ALSO READ: NASA Delays Artemis II Mission Due To Helium Issue, Potential Launch In April
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.