Blood Moon on March 3, 2026: where and at what time to watch the total lunar eclipse

The only total lunar eclipse in 2026 will occur on March 3: the Earth's satellite will completely plunge into the shadow of the planet, turning red, but this astronomical phenomenon will be inaccessible to residents of European Russia and most of the CIS. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

What time will the lunar eclipse begin on March 3, 2026 Moscow time

The astronomical event will begin on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and will last for more than five and a half hours. According to the calculations of experts, the penumbral phase, when the lunar disk darkens only slightly and the changes are almost invisible to the naked eye, starts at 15:44 Moscow time.

A partial eclipse, during which a distinct arc of the earth's shadow appears on the Moon's surface, is expected at 16:50 Moscow time. The most spectacular picture — the full phase, for which amateur astronomers around the world follow the calendars - will begin at 18:04 Moscow time.

The culmination of the eclipse, the moment of the maximum immersion of the Moon into the Earth's shadow, will be at 18:33 Moscow time. The full phase will last 58 minutes — from 18:04 to 19:02 Moscow time. Then the process will go in reverse order: the partial eclipse will end at 20:17 Moscow time, and the penumbral eclipse will finally come to naught at 21:23 Moscow time. Thus, the total duration of the phenomenon will be 5 hours and 39 minutes.

What is a Blood Moon and why does a lunar eclipse occur?

A total lunar eclipse occurs at the moment when the Sun, Earth and Moon align on the same line, and our planet is exactly between the luminary and its satellite, casting a shadow on it. However, even when completely immersed in the shadow, the Moon does not disappear from the sky, but acquires an ominous reddish hue. Therefore, a lunar eclipse is also called a Blood Moon.

This effect is directly related to the Earth's atmosphere. As astronomers explain, the sun's rays, passing tangentially to the earth's surface, are scattered in the atmosphere. Short-wavelength blue rays are scattered the most, while long-wavelength red and orange rays pass through the atmosphere almost unhindered and reach the surface of the moon.

It is important to note that the effect of the "blood moon" occurs exclusively during the total phase of the eclipse.

Where to see the Blood Moon on March 3, 2026

Residents of East Asia (including Japan), eastern Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Rim will also be able to see the Blood Moon wherever the Earth's satellite is above the horizon at that moment. The phenomenon can be fully observed in Alaska, Hawaii, and western North America.

In Russia, the eclipse will be seen only in the Far Eastern regions. Full shadow phases will be available for observation in Transbaikalia and the Far East, where evening will have already arrived by the time the phenomenon begins, and the Moon will rise above the horizon. Residents of Central Siberia will be less lucky — there the satellite will begin to ascend already during the full phase. In Western Siberia, it will be possible to catch only the final part of the event.

For residents of Moscow and the entire European part of Russia, as well as for most of the CIS countries, including Belarus, Ukraine and Azerbaijan, the Blood Moon will remain invisible. At this latitude, during all phases of the eclipse, the Earth's natural satellite will be located below the horizon line.

In some regions of East Asia and Australia, the Moon will rise after the eclipse begins, so observers will miss the initial phases. In central Asia and the eastern part of South America, only a partial phase will be visible, when the shadow covers only part of the disk.

The next total lunar eclipse is expected only on the night of December 31, 2028 to January 1, 2029. So for those who miss the event on March 3, 2026 due to geography or clouds, the next opportunity to see the Blood Moon will come only in three years.

The influence of the Blood Moon on humans

Myths and superstitions have been forming around the Blood Moon for centuries. Many people believe that this phenomenon can affect well-being, the psyche, or provoke exacerbations of chronic diseases. However, scientific studies do not confirm a direct link between the position of the satellite and human health.

From an astrological point of view, the lunar eclipse of March 3, 2026, taking place in the sign of Virgo, can have a deep cleansing and structuring effect on a person. This is the time of summing up: the energy of the eclipse will highlight all the flaws, chaos and imperfections both in external affairs (work, health, everyday life) and in the inner world. Many will have an urgent need to put things in order, get rid of everything outdated and superfluous — from old habits to ineffective relationships.

Since the Blood Moon closes the eclipse corridor on March 3, which was opened by the solar eclipse in Aquarius on February 17, it is better to meet it with a cool head, although Mercury retrograde in Pisces can lead to confusion in thoughts and feelings, leading to illusions and self-deception.