How to view the total “blood moon” lunar eclipse on March 3

First specialty The astronomical event visible in 2026 is a total lunar eclipse, or “blood moon.” This phenomenon is highly appreciated by stargazers because the entire lunar disk takes on a reddish color for a few moments.

The total lunar eclipse will occur on March 3, and will be clearly visible in North and Central America, while it will only be partially visible in Central and South Asia. It will not be visible in Europe or Africa.

Although the eclipse will begin early in the morning, totality will occur approximately at dawn on March 3. A few hours before sunrise, the full moon will gain its distinctive reddish color for only 12 minutes.

Times of a total lunar eclipse or “blood moon”

• Los Angeles: 3:04 AM
• Denver: 4:04 a.m
• Chicago: 5:04 a.m
• St. Louis: 5:04 a.m
• New York: 6:04 am
• Washington, DC: 6:04 AM

It is safe to view a total lunar eclipse, unlike a solar eclipse. You don’t need any special equipment; Just go to a high vantage point and dress warmly. Keep in mind that at the time of totality, the Moon will be almost touching the horizon, about to disappear. Therefore, it is necessary to view it from a high place, so that no buildings or trees block your view.

Little sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere and affects the Moon, giving it its orange color.

NASA

Why does the moon turn red?

During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon does not completely lose its brightness, but rather takes on a dull red color. This happens because the Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon and casts its shadow on the Moon’s surface.

Unlike the Moon, the Earth is surrounded by an atmosphere that filters sunlight. Thanks to it, we see blue skies, orange sunsets, or distant objects in opaque colors. Light coming from the Sun and passing through the Earth’s atmosphere can reach the Moon, although to a lesser extent. These already filtered rays affect the satellite, painting it red. “It is as if the world’s sunrises and sunsets were projected onto the moon,” NASA explains.

A total lunar eclipse is slightly rarer than a total solar eclipse. A blood moon occurs every two and a half years on average, while a total solar eclipse occurs approximately every 18 months, according to NASA’s astronomical catalogs.

Total lunar eclipses appear to be more frequent because they can be observed from anywhere during the night. In contrast, to see a total solar eclipse it is necessary to be exactly in the narrow range of totality. For example, an observer could see a total lunar eclipse every two to three years, but might have to wait about 375 years to see a total solar eclipse from his or her city.

This story originally appeared on WIRED in Spanish It was translated from Spanish.