Blood Moon 2023: Full Lunar Eclipse & What You Can See Tonight

Tonight, March 3, 2026, offers a striking celestial event: a full moon coinciding with a total lunar eclipse. This combination will transform the moon into what’s commonly known as a “Blood Moon,” a reddish hue caused by the way Earth’s atmosphere filters sunlight during the eclipse. While skywatchers in North America, parts of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific region will have the best view of this phenomenon, the full moon itself will be visible globally, offering opportunities for observation even without the eclipse’s dramatic coloration. Let’s break down what’s happening, what you can expect to see, and what phases the moon goes through throughout its cycle.

What’s Happening Tonight?

As of today, March 3, the moon is in its Full Moon phase, meaning 100% of its visible surface is illuminated by the sun, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide. Although, this isn’t just any full moon. It’s a total lunar eclipse, meaning the Earth will pass directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. The reddish color, the “blood moon” effect, occurs because some sunlight is bent through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the moon. Shorter wavelengths of light, like blue and violet, are scattered away, while longer wavelengths, like red and orange, are able to pass through. Here’s the same principle that creates vibrant sunrises, and sunsets.

Seeing Details on the Lunar Surface

Even without specialized equipment, observers can discern features on the moon’s surface. With the naked eye, the Aristarchus Plateau, along with the dark, basaltic plains known as the Mares Imbrium and Serenitatis, are readily visible. For those with binoculars, the Mare Nectaris, the Alps Mountains, and the Clavius Crater come into view. And for those with a telescope, the Linne Crater, Rupes Altai (a large lunar fault), and the Rima Hyginus (a sinuous rille, or channel) offer even more detailed observation opportunities.

Understanding Lunar Phases

The moon doesn’t just switch between full and new; it cycles through eight distinct phases over approximately 29.5 days as it orbits Earth. NASA explains that these phases are determined by the changing angles at which we view the sunlit portion of the moon. Here’s a breakdown:

New Moon: The moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, and the side facing us is not illuminated, making it invisible.
Waxing Crescent: A sliver of light begins to appear on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere). “Waxing” means growing or increasing.
First Quarter: Half of the moon is illuminated on the right side, appearing as a half-moon.
Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the moon is lit, but it’s not yet full. “Gibbous” means bulging.
Full Moon: The entire face of the moon is illuminated.
Waning Gibbous: The illuminated portion begins to decrease on the right side. “Waning” means shrinking or decreasing.
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter): Half of the moon is illuminated, but on the left side.
Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before the cycle begins again.

The Science Behind Lunar Eclipses

A lunar eclipse isn’t simply the Earth blocking the sun’s light. It’s a more nuanced process. The Earth casts two shadows: the umbra, which is the dark central part of the shadow, and the penumbra, which is the lighter, outer part. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes entirely through the Earth’s umbra. The reddish hue isn’t due to the umbra itself, but rather the scattering of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere. This scattering effect is known as Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon responsible for the colors of sunrises and sunsets. Time and Date provides detailed animations illustrating this process.

Visibility and Timing

The total lunar eclipse on March 3rd will be visible across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and eastern Asia, weather permitting. According to USA Today, the key times to watch are:

3:44 a.m. ET: Penumbral eclipse begins (the moon enters Earth’s outer shadow).
4:50 a.m. ET: Partial eclipse begins (a “bite” appears on the moon).
6:04 a.m. ET: Totality begins (the moon turns dark red or orange).
7:03 a.m. ET: Totality ends.
8:17 a.m. ET: Partial eclipse ends.
9:23 a.m. ET: Eclipse is over.

Approximately 176 million people, or roughly 2% of the world’s population, will be able to witness the complete phases of the eclipse. The next opportunity to see a total lunar eclipse won’t arrive until New Year’s Eve 2028-2029, making this event particularly noteworthy.

Looking Ahead: The Next Full Moon

For those who miss tonight’s spectacle, the next full moon in North America is predicted to occur on April 1. While it won’t be a blood moon, it will still be a beautiful sight, offering another chance to observe the lunar surface and appreciate the celestial rhythms that govern our night sky. Continued observation and study of lunar events contribute to our understanding of the Earth-Moon system and its influence on our planet.