From the coastlines of California to the fields of the Midwest, Americans have always paused to look up when something special happens in the night sky. Few cosmic sights are as breathtaking—or as photographed—as a Blood Moon, when the full Moon glows deep red during a total lunar eclipse.
If you missed the previous Blood Moon in September 2025, you’ll get another chance soon. The next total lunar eclipse—known as a Blood Moon—will occur on March 3, 2026, and it will be visible from much of North America, including large portions of the U.S.
🌕 What Is a Blood Moon?
A Blood Moon is not an official astronomical term but a popular name for a total lunar eclipse. During this event, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface.
As sunlight travels through Earth’s atmosphere, shorter blue wavelengths are filtered out while longer red wavelengths bend and scatter onto the Moon. This gives the lunar surface its distinct red or copper hue — creating the “Blood Moon” effect.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. No special glasses or filters are needed, just clear skies and patience.
📅 The Last Blood Moon: September 7–8, 2025
The most recent total lunar eclipse happened on September 7–8, 2025. It was a dramatic event, lasting roughly 82 minutes at totality.
However, most of the United States only saw partial phases of that eclipse, as totality occurred during daylight hours for much of the country. The best views were from parts of Asia, Australia, and Africa.
If you were in the U.S., you may have caught the partial penumbral or umbral shadow near moonset—a reminder of what’s to come in 2026.
🌔 The Next Blood Moon: March 3, 2026
The next Blood Moon will occur in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (U.S. time). This total lunar eclipse will be visible from North America, South America, Asia, and the Pacific region.
🕓 Key Details for the United States
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Date: March 3, 2026
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Eclipse Type: Total lunar eclipse (Blood Moon)
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Totality Duration: About 58 minutes
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Total Eclipse Phase (approx.): 7:04 a.m. to 8:02 a.m. Eastern Time
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Greatest Eclipse: 7:33 a.m. Eastern Time
📍 U.S. Visibility Summary
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Western U.S. (California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada): Best full visibility — totality occurs before sunrise.
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Mountain States (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico): Excellent visibility — Moon high in the sky during totality.
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Central U.S. (Texas, Kansas, Illinois): Partial totality visible before the Moon sets.
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Eastern U.S. (New York, Florida, East Coast): The Moon will likely set before full totality is reached.
In other words, the farther west you are in the continental U.S., the better your view will be.
🔭 How to Watch the 2026 Blood Moon
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Know your local timing
Use a skywatching app or astronomy website to confirm local start and end times for your area. -
Choose a dark, open location
Avoid city lights. Parks, open fields, or elevated areas offer clearer views. -
Bring binoculars or a small telescope
While not required, they help reveal the Moon’s craters and the shadow’s slow movement. -
Photograph the moment
Most modern smartphones can capture excellent shots using night mode or long exposure. -
Plan a viewing party
Many U.S. planetariums, observatories, and local astronomy clubs host public eclipse events—perfect for families or students.
🇺🇸 Why Blood Moons Fascinate Americans
In the U.S., Blood Moons have grown into both scientific and cultural events. They bring together stargazers, photographers, and families for shared experiences under the open sky.
Television stations often run live coverage, social media lights up with photos tagged #BloodMoon, and local communities host viewing nights. These events remind Americans how rare and beautiful cosmic alignments can be.
Beyond the science, there’s something almost spiritual about watching the Moon shift through shades of red — a cosmic rhythm that connects generations of observers.
🧠 Blood Moon Quick Facts
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The term “Blood Moon” refers to the reddish appearance during totality, not an actual color change of the Moon’s surface.
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No protective eyewear is needed to view a lunar eclipse.
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A total lunar eclipse can last up to 1 hour and 40 minutes, though March 2026’s will be about 58 minutes.
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The next total lunar eclipse after 2026 will occur in December 2028 and will also be visible from parts of the U.S.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes a Blood Moon to appear red?
Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light and allows red light to pass through, coloring the Moon red during an eclipse.
2. Is the March 2026 Blood Moon visible everywhere in the U.S.?
No — the best viewing is from the western half of the country. Eastern states may see only partial phases before moonset.
3. What time should I look up?
The peak red phase occurs around 7:33 a.m. Eastern Time (4:33 a.m. Pacific).
4. Do I need special glasses?
No. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view directly.
5. When is the next Blood Moon after 2026?
The next total lunar eclipse visible from the U.S. happens in December 2028.
🌠 Conclusion: Mark March 3, 2026 on Your Calendar
Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or just someone who loves a good reason to look up, the March 2026 Blood Moon will be an event worth catching.
For Americans west of the Mississippi, totality will paint the sky a glowing red before dawn. For everyone else, even a partial view offers a humbling reminder of our place in the cosmos.
So set your alarm, step outside, and watch as the Moon once again turns to crimson — a celestial show that connects the entire world under one sky.