- The first of two 2026 lunar eclipses will occur on March 3.
- The total eclipse will cast a red tint as the moon falls into Earth's shadow.
- Utah observers will be in prime viewing area, weather permitting.
While only a handful of Antarctic scientists were in the right spot for prime viewing of a stunning annular solar eclipse earlier this week, Utahns, along with millions of other Terra Prime residents will have front-row seats for a total lunar eclipse on March 3, as long as the weather cooperates.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon align so that the moon passes into Earth’s shadow, according to NASA. In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra. When the moon is within the umbra, it appears red-orange. Lunar eclipses are sometimes called “Blood Moons” because of that phenomenon.
“The show will start officially just before 2 a.m. MST when the moon enters Earth’s rather faint and fuzzy outer shadow,” NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador to Utah Patrick Wiggins explained in a press release.
Wiggins noted there won’t be much to see until about 2:50 a.m. that morning when the moon enters the dark part of Earth’s shadow. For Utah observers, the moon will be about half way up the southwestern sky at that point.
“But the main event will start at 4:04 a.m. when the entire moon will be engulfed in the dark part of Earth’s shadow and totality begins,” Wiggins said.
On March 3, totality will be visible in the evening from eastern Asia and Australia, throughout the night in the Pacific and in the early morning in North and Central America and far western South America, according to NASA. A partial eclipse will be seen from central Asia and much of South America and no eclipse will be visible in Africa or Europe.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses occur at the same time regardless of geographic location. Also, lunar eclipses can be viewed without eye protection and NASA suggests binoculars or a telescope to enhance the view. The best viewing conditions are in a dark environment away from bright lights.
The moon appears red or orange during a lunar eclipse because any sunlight that’s not blocked by Earth is filtered through a thick slice of the planet’s atmosphere on its way to the lunar surface, according to NASA. It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the moon.
Here’s what to expect:
Penumbral eclipse begins, 1:44 a.m. MST: The moon enters the Earth’s penumbra, the outer part of the shadow. While the moon begins to dim, it will be quite subtle.
Partial eclipse begins, 2:50 a.m. MST: The moon begins to enter the Earth’s umbra and partial eclipse begins. To the naked eye, it will appear as if a bite is being taken out of the lunar disk.
Totality begins, 4:04 a.m. MST: The entire moon will now fall within the Earth’s umbra. The moon will likely appear a tinted, coppery red. Try binoculars or a telescope for a better view. If you want to take a photo, use a camera on a tripod with exposures of at least several seconds.
Totality ends, 5:03 a.m. MST: As the moon exits Earth’s umbra, the red color will fade. It looks as if a bite is being taken out of the opposite side of the lunar disk from before.
Partial eclipse ends, 6:17 a.m. MST: The whole moon will be in Earth’s penumbra, but again, the dimming will be subtle.
Eclipse ends, 7:23 a.m. MST: Eclipse ends.