March 3 Blood Moon: What To Know About The 82-Minute Red Moon Eclipse 2026

March is expected to bring one of the biggest sky events of 2026 and it’s the kind of night that makes you step outside “just for a minute”… and then stay there way longer than planned. A total lunar eclipse will play out across the night of March 2–3, with the Moon expected to slip into Earth’s shadow and turn a deep coppery red. Astronomers are still ironing out a few viewing specifics, like the exact length of the darkest “blood moon” phase, but the hype is very real. For many regions, it will also be the last total lunar eclipse until the New Year’s Blood Moon in 2028–29.Why This Blood Moon Eclipse Is Worth WatchingUnlike a regular full moon night, a total lunar eclipse feels like the sky is doing a live colour edit. During the peak stage,

the Moon moves fully into Earth’s umbra, and instead of disappearing, it glows red. That shade comes from sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere, where blue light scatters away and red wavelengths bend around the planet and fall onto the Moon.Some early projections have floated the idea that the red phase could last as long as 82 minutes, though the more likely estimate sits closer to about an hour of totality. Either way, the full eclipse event, from start to finish, stretches to well over five hours, so there’s plenty of time to catch different stages.'Good To Be Home': NASA's First ISS Medical Evacuation, SpaceX Capsule Splashes Down in San Diego - WatchWhat It Will Look Like In The SkyExpect the shadow to slide across the Moon in a curved path, almost like someone slowly dimming a circular lamp. If you watch closely, you might even notice the Moon’s disk appear to “rotate” slightly through the event. That isn’t the Moon spinning in real time, it’s Earth’s rotation subtly shifting how we see the eclipse unfold.Where Will The March 3 Eclipse Be Visible ?Large parts of Asia, Australia, North America, and even parts of South America are expected to see at least some portion of the total eclipse, assuming clouds don’t ruin the mood.In India, however, the event is expected to appear as a partial lunar eclipse, not a full blood moon. For example, in New Delhi, the eclipse is expected to begin around 6:22 pm on March 3, making it an evening skywatch for many viewers.Do You Need Any Special Equipment ?No eclipse glasses. No filters. No fancy gear. Lunar eclipses are the chill ones. If the sky is clear, all you need is your eyes, a terrace, and maybe a cup of chai for the full vibe.