Blood Moon Eclipse 2026: How to Watch the Rare Lunar Show Online

A total lunar eclipse, often called a “blood moon” due to the reddish hue the moon takes on during totality, will be visible from parts of North America on March 2-3, though viewing will depend on location and cloud cover. For those obscured by daylight or weather, or simply wanting a broader perspective, numerous organizations will be livestreaming the event, offering a chance to witness the 58 minutes of lunar totality no matter where you are on Earth. This eclipse is particularly noteworthy as it will be the last total lunar eclipse until Latest Year’s Eve 2028, and the last visible from North America until June 25-26, 2029.

Understanding the ‘Blood Moon’ Phenomenon

The distinctive red color of a total lunar eclipse isn’t due to the moon itself changing, but rather to the way Earth’s atmosphere interacts with sunlight. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. However, some sunlight is bent through Earth’s atmosphere, which filters out most of the blue light, leaving behind the longer wavelengths of red and orange. This effect is similar to why sunsets appear red. Learn more about why the moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse from Live Science.

Livestream Options for Global Viewing

Whether you’re in a prime viewing location or not, several organizations are offering live coverage of the eclipse. Time and Date, known for its reliable astronomical information, will be hosting a livestream with feeds from around the world, presented by Graham Jones and Anne Buckle, alongside contributions from the Starry Knights team from Hawaii, and observatories in Australia and California. You can find the Time and Date livestream here.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles will also be broadcasting the eclipse live, offering a high-quality view of the event from 12:47 a.m. To 6:25 a.m. PST on March 3rd. This broadcast will be online-only, with no public viewing at the observatory itself. Watch the Griffith Observatory livestream on YouTube. More information about the event can be found on Griffith Observatory’s website.

The Virtual Telescope Project, led by astrophysicist Gianluca Masi, will curate a livestream featuring footage from astroimagers across the globe. Their coverage will begin at 3:30 a.m. EST and include views from locations in Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, Montreal, and various parts of Australia. Find details about The Virtual Telescope Project’s broadcast here.

Visibility Across Time Zones

The duration of the total eclipse – when the moon is fully within Earth’s umbral shadow – will last approximately 58 minutes. However, the entire event, from the initial entry into Earth’s penumbral shadow to the final exit, will span around 5.5 hours, from 3:44 a.m. To 9:23 a.m. EST on Tuesday, March 3rd, according to Time and Date.

For observers in Europe, Africa, and most of Asia, the eclipse will not be visible. In the eastern time zones of North America, the moon will begin to set just as totality begins, potentially obscuring the most dramatic phase of the eclipse. Viewers in the Midwest and West Coast of North America will have the best opportunity to see the fully eclipsed moon above the western horizon.

Looking Ahead: Future Lunar Events

If you miss this opportunity, the next total lunar eclipse won’t occur until New Year’s Eve 2028. For North American observers, the next chance to witness a total lunar eclipse will be on June 25-26, 2029. In the meantime, preserve an eye on astronomical calendars and websites like Time and Date for information on other celestial events.