Bold headline: This is the rare blood moon that's about to light up the skies over North America, Australia, and New Zealand—and it’s more than just a pretty sight.
A rare total lunar eclipse, popularly called a “blood moon,” will unfold as the full moon passes into the Earth’s shadow tonight. During this event the Moon will take on a deep coppery-red hue, a color produced when sunlight that skirts through Earth's atmosphere refracts and filters the light before it hits the Moon.
Astrophysicist Dr. Rebecca Allen of Swinburne University explains that while the Moon is in Earth’s shadow, some sunlight still reaches its surface. This sunlight travels through our atmosphere, getting altered and bending toward the Moon, which is why observers see that striking red-orange tint. Australian National University astrophysicist Dr. Brad Tucker adds that this light is akin to a sunset that brushes the Moon, causing the orange-red glow you’ll notice.
For the best viewing experience, find a dark spot away from city lights and give your eyes 10 to 15 minutes to adjust to the dark. And if you’re lucky, you’ll spot Jupiter high in the sky alongside the eclipsed Moon, making for a memorable pairing.
Viewing times by region
Australia
- Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart: eclipse begins at 10:04 p.m. and ends at 11:02 p.m.
- Brisbane: begins 9:04 p.m., ends 10:02 p.m.
- Adelaide: begins 9:34 p.m., ends 10:32 p.m.
- Darwin: begins 8:34 p.m., ends 9:32 p.m.
- Perth: begins 7:04 p.m., ends 8:02 p.m.
New Zealand
- The deepest phase will occur shortly after midnight local time, with the Moon high in the sky. Prof. Richard Easther notes that the eclipse will be visible from everywhere in the country, weather permitting. He emphasizes that anyone who can see the Moon will witness the eclipse and encourages people to simply look up and enjoy the night sky.
North America
- The eclipse will be visible in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, in parts of the Americas. Some observers near the edge of the visible region may only see part of the eclipse as the Moon sets.
- Time and visibility estimates from NASA and Time and Date include:
- New York and Washington, D.C.: 3:44 a.m. to about 6:30 a.m. (EDT)
- Detroit: 3:44 a.m. to 7:06 a.m.
- New Orleans and Chicago: 2:44 a.m. to about 6:24 a.m.
- San Francisco and Los Angeles: 12:44 a.m. to about 6:23 a.m.
Global viewpoint
- Other major cities around the world will also have opportunities to see the blood moon:
- Tokyo: 5:44 p.m. to 11:23 p.m.
- Beijing: 6:00 p.m. to 10:23 p.m.
- Manila: 5:57 p.m. to 10:23 p.m.
- Jakarta: 6:06 p.m. to 9:23 p.m.
How often does this happen—and when is the next one?
- Blood moons, or total lunar eclipses, occur roughly every 18 months to three years. The next total lunar eclipse is expected on New Year’s Eve 2028, visible across Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa (but not the Americas). The subsequent total lunar eclipse visible in North America is anticipated in June 2029.
- A partial eclipse is forecast for August 28, 2026, offering the Americas and Africa the strongest view, while Australia and New Zealand will see it much less.
What does a blood moon mean?
- In modern terms, a blood moon is primarily a striking astronomical event—a vivid reminder that Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are constantly moving in a dynamic solar system. Dr. Allen describes it as a breathtaking sign of our planet’s motion through space.
- Throughout history, people shaped various interpretations around the phenomenon. For instance, some ancient cultures imagined the red Moon as a jaguar attacking the Moon, or as an omen of upheaval. Indigenous groups, like California’s Luiseño, sang healing songs to soothe the darkened Moon, believing it to be wounded or ill.
- In contemporary times, popular literature has sometimes tied blood moons to apocalyptic prophecies, though these interpretations aren’t supported by science.
Seasonal note
- The March full Moon is also known as the “worm Moon” in the northern hemisphere, a name describing how soil begins to warm and life returns with the arrival of spring.
If you’re planning to observe, share your experience in the comments: Do you prefer to observe from a quiet rural spot, or do you enjoy watching with friends and family from a city park? And do you think cultural interpretations of such celestial events add value to the science, or do they distract from it?
