Total lunar eclipses are a little bit like supermoons because they come in batches. You only get a couple of chances to see a few of them before facing a long wait for the next one. March's full moon brings a total lunar eclipse -- the final in a trio of eclipses that began in March 2025. If you miss this one, you won't have another opportunity to see a total lunar eclipse until New Year's Eve in 2028.
According to The Farmer's Almanac, March's full moon will occur on March 3. It'll reach peak illumination, when the moon is at its fullest, at 6:38 a.m. ET. But you won't see the full moon in all of its majesty, even if you're outside at that exact time, because the moon will be in the middle of its eclipse.
A lunar eclipse causes the moon to glow red, which is why people call it a blood moon. NASA Simulation Lab
Those hoping to see the eclipse should consider brewing an extra pot of coffee. The show starts at 3:44 a.m. ET as the moon begins to move into Earth's shadow, a region known as the penumbra. The moon will darken during this time as Earth starts to block sunlight. This phase lasts until 4:50 a.m. ET when the moon enters the umbra, the spot behind Earth where all direct light from the sun is blocked. The moon will enter its maximum eclipse at 6:33 a.m. ET.
The moon will turn into a blood moon during this time. As sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, shorter blue wavelengths scatter, while longer red and orange hues are refracted toward the moon. This gives the blood moon its signature reddish look.
This phase of the eclipse will last until 8:17 a.m. ET when the moon enters penumbra again. The eclipse ends at 9:23 a.m. once it leaves the penumbra for the final time.
Will I see the lunar eclipse?
Everyone in North America will have a chance to see the lunar eclipse, though not everyone will experience it equally. The central path of the eclipse rips right down the center of the Pacific Ocean, so only people on the West Coast, Alaska and western Canada can see the whole thing. The further east you go, the less of the eclipse you'll be able to see.
The website Time and Date offers a map showing who can see the eclipse and how much they'll see. It's almost perfectly lined up with US time zones, so here's how well you'll be able to see the eclipse based on where you live.
Pacific Time: The full eclipse will be visible from beginning to end.
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