A celestial spectacle is set to grace the sky on Tuesday: a total lunar eclipse will make the moon appear blood red to millions of sky watchers across the globe.
Eclipses happen when the sun, moon and Earth align in precise ways. In this case, Earth will be positioned directly between the sun and the full moon, casting a shadow over our natural satellite. While Earth blocks some of the sun’s light, stray beams will pass around and through our atmosphere, turning the moon’s usually pearlescent surface red.
The lunar eclipse will be visible across the Americas early in the morning of March 3 , as well as to stargazers in Australia and eastern Asia on Tuesday night. The moment of totality—when Earth fully covers the moon in its shadow—will begin at 6:04 A.M. EST and end at 7:03 A.M. EST. Unfortunately for lunar enthusiasts in Africa and Europe, the spectacle will not be visible there.
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Tuesday’s eclipse follows hot on the heels of a “ring of fire” solar eclipse that occurred on February 17, although only viewers in Antarctica caught it in all its glory. During that event, the moon passed between Earth and the sun, covering up our star so that only a halo of light was left visible.
This upcoming eclipse is particularly special because it will be the last total lunar eclipse until December 2028. Sky watchers hoping to glimpse Tuesday’s event will require no special equipment to see the eclipse. They just need to hope for a cloudless night, go outside when it is dark and look up.
For viewers in the U.S., the fun will begin around 3:45 A.M. EST and will last until 9:23 A.M. EST, though on the East Coast, the moon will set well before the eclipse ends. It will be worth stepping out a few times during the eclipse: as the event progresses, Earth’s shadow will creep across the moon, turning it a darker shade of red as it slides into alignment before the color drains away again as the planet moves on.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can’t-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world’s best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
