Total lunar eclipse March 2026: Live updates
The next lunar eclipse will be overnight on March 2-4, 2026.
Ready for another blood moon? There isn't too long to wait...
The next total lunar eclipse to grace our skies will occur on March 2-4, 2026.
Read more: March 2026 total lunar eclipse: Everything you need to know about the next 'blood moon'
The March 2-4, 2026, event will be the first total lunar eclipse anywhere in the world since Sept. 7-8, 2025, and the last until Dec. 31, 2028, to Jan. 1, 2029, when a total lunar eclipse will occur on New Year's Eve.
See breathtaking photos of the September 2025 blood moon total lunar eclipse
Last night's total lunar eclipse put on an unforgettable show, dazzling stargazers with a spectacular display of orbital mechanics that briefly turned the moon blood red as Earth's shadow swept across the lunar disk.
Check out our roundup of the best photos of the September 2025 total lunar eclipse as seen by photographers across the globe!
Read more: Blood moon wows skywatchers worldwide: Best photos of the September 2025 total lunar eclipse.
Wow, what a show!
Check out the first views of the stunning total lunar eclipse as it transforms September's sky for over 7 billion people worldwide.
Read More: See the blood moon rise in 1st pictures of September 2025 total lunar eclipse
Eclipse comes through for skywatchers in Barcelona
Clouds be damned! Space.com's own Daisy Dobrijevic finally caught a glimpse of the eclipse over the Balearic Sea in Barcelona, and it was worth the wait.
End of totality
The moon is beginning to emerge from Earth's umbra. A sliver of bright white sunlight is reappearing, ending the red glow.
Meanwhile in Barcelona...
Space.com's own Daisy Dobrijevic is awaiting the lunar eclipse in Barcelona with a horde of skywatchers.
"I’m not sure the clouds will be on our side tonight but spirits are
high as everyone in Barcelona waits for the moon to rise above the
beautiful Balearic Sea," she said.
Maximum eclipse is underway
This is the deepest point of totality. The moon may glow anywhere from rusty orange to deep red, and the surrounding night sky should appear noticeably darker, revealing more stars.
Totality has begun!
The moon is now fully immersed in Earth's umbra, kicking off 1 hour and 22 minutes of totality. Watch as it shifts from bright white to coppery red, depending on Earth's atmospheric conditions.
The total lunar eclipse of September 2025 has begun!
The moon has started to enter Earth's penumbra, the faint outer part of its shadow. This shading is usually very subtle, so changes won't become noticeable for about 50 minutes
Tonight's the night for the September 2025 blood moon total lunar eclipse!
Earth's shadow will roll across the lunar surface in just a few hours time, triggering a spectacular total lunar eclipse that can be viewed with the naked eye without the need for protective glasses.
Stick with our live eclipse blog to follow along with each phase of the Sept. 7-8 blood moon as they occur and don't forget that free live streams of the total lunar eclipse are available online for those who aren't able to witness the event in person!
Read more: Total lunar eclipse will paint the full moon blood red for over 7 billion skywatchers tonight.
Stages of the Sept. 7 blood moon total lunar eclipse explained
The moon experiences several distinct phases during lunar eclipses.
Every phase of the Sept. 7-8 total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of Asia, western Australia and eastern Europe, but other locations such as Spain and Norway will witness only a partial eclipse.
Want to know what to expect during each phase? Check out our guide on the phases of the total lunar eclipse happening Sunday (Sept. 7).
And if you live outside of the viewing area, you can still watch the total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7 with these free livestreams.
Read more: What to expect during the 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7-8
Read more: Where to see the blood moon lunar eclipse Sept. 7–8
Watch the Sept. 7 blood moon total lunar eclipse online with these free livestreams
If you can't make it outside at eclipse time or if you live outside of the eclipse's viewing area, you can still watch the spectacle of the total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7 thanks to free online livestreams.
Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe will get views of the eclipse, but the Americas will not. Luckily, the Virtual Telescope Project in Manciano, Italy will stream the eclipse beginning at 1:45 p.m. EDT (17:45 GMT) on Sept. 7.
Time and Date will also provide a total lunar eclipse livestream hosted by journalist Anne Buckle and Graham Jones, starting at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) on Sept. 7.
Read more: Watch the blood moon total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7 with these free livestreams (video)
When to look for the Sept. 7-8 total lunar eclipse
We're just a couple of days out from the September 2025 total lunar eclipse! Be sure to read our article listing the key viewing times for totality to ensure that you see the moon adopt a rusty hue as it slips deep into Earth's umbral shadow.
Read more: What time is the blood moon total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7-8?
Who will see the September 2025 blood moon eclipse?
The Sept. 7-8 blood moon total lunar eclipse is just a few days away, but your ability to witness it will depend entirely on your location!
Check out our article detailing from where the blood moon is visible to see if you'll have a clear view of totality, or any of the other myriad phases of the September 2025 total lunar eclipse.
Read more: Where to see the blood moon lunar eclipse Sept. 7-8
How does Earth's atmosphere turn the moon red during a lunar eclipse?
Ever wondered why the moon takes on a rusty hue during totality?
Check out our guide detailing the science behind a total lunar eclipse to discover how a quirk of Earth's atmosphere turns the lunar surface blood red as it slips into the deepest part of Earth's shadow, known as the umbra.
Read more: Why does the moon turn red during a total lunar eclipse?
Less than one week to go until the blood moon transforms September's sky
Get ready stargazers!
In just one week, Earth's shadow will roll across the lunar surface, giving rise to a spectacular 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7-8.
We're ready, are you?
Read more: One week until the blood moon total lunar eclipse lights up September's sky
One month to go until the total lunar eclipse!
In just one month, a dramatic "blood moon" will take to the sky.
Skywatchers across Asia and Western Australia will get the best view of the Sept. 7 total lunar eclipse from start to finish, but those in Europe, Africa, eastern Australia and New Zealand may still catch a glimpse of the moon during some of the eclipse phases, including totality.
Read more: A blood moon is coming: Here's what you need to know about the total lunar eclipse on Sept. 7
When is the next total lunar eclipse?
Good news eclipse chasers! You don't have to wait too long to see another total lunar eclipse.
The next total lunar eclipse will occur overnight on Sept. 7-8 and be visible over Europe, Africa, eastern Australia and New Zealand.
Read more about where and when to see the next "blood moon" with our comprehensive total lunar eclipse September 2025 guide.
It's photo time! Check out the best photos from the "Blood Worm Moon" total lunar eclipse
If you didn't manage to see the total lunar eclipse or if you just want to relive the show all over again, we've rounded up some of the best "Blood Worm Moon" photos from across North America and beyond. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Read more: Total lunar eclipse March 2025: Best photos of the "Blood Worm Moon"
Moon starts to shine once more
The moon is starting to move out of Earth's dark inner shadow and starting to brighten again.
End of totality
The moon has begun emerging from Earth's shadow and will continue to do so until 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT), marking the end of the total lunar eclipse. We'll keep bringing you stunning views and a roundup featuring some of the best eclipse photos. Stay tuned!
Maximum eclipse is underway
We are now in the middle of totality, with the moon shining anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times fainter than it was just a couple of hours ago. Observers may notice a greater number of stars in the sky than were visible earlier on that night. -- Daisy Dobrijevic
The moon is turning a deep red
Wow! The moon is turning a deep rusty red color. We can see it clearly here in this photo captured from Mexico City by Yuri Cortez.
Totality has begun!
The "Blood Moon" total phase of the lunar eclipse will last approximately 65 minutes — so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Totality is just a few minutes away!
The very last portion of the moon is now entering the umbra, Earth's darkest shadow. This period of the eclipse will last approximately 65 minutes, so you have ample time to soak in the dramatic view of the "Blood Worm Moon".
Earth's shadow is now eclipsing about 75% of the moon's surface
With the eclipse in full swing, take a look at the shadowed portion of the moon — it should start to faintly glow. This reveals that the umbral shadow isn't complete darkness after all. -- Daisy Dobrijevic
Into the darkness...
The moon is now deep into the partial phase of the total lunar eclipse, growing progressively darker as we watch. Totality begins at 2:26 a.m. EDT (0626 GMT).
Our eyes on the ground spy a lunar eclipse!
Landscape astrophotographer Josh Dury is in Scotland on the hunt for a total lunar eclipse! Dury is already getting some beautiful views of the lunar eclipse as Earth's shadow begins to move across the lunar surface. What a view! -- Daisy Dobrijevic
The moon begins to enter Earth's dark central shadow
The moon is now entering the umbra, Earth's dark central shadow. You'll see a dark scallop beginning to appear on the moon's lower lefthand (southeastern) limb. The partial phase of the eclipse is now underway -- Daisy Dobrijevic
The penumbral shadow is beginning to appear!
Now the moon has progressed far enough into the penumbra that it should be visible on the moon's disk. Start looking for a very subtle light shading to appear on the moon's left portion. This will become increasingly evident as the minutes pass, the shading appearing to spread and deepen.
The total lunar eclipse of March 2025 has begun!
The moon has started moving into Earth's penumbra, the faint outer part of its shadow. This shadow is so subtle that it remains invisible until the moon is deeply immersed, so we'll have to wait about 50 minutes to notice any change.
'Blood Worm Moon' US weather forecast: Best places to see tonight's total lunar eclipse
As far as viewing prospects for tonight's total eclipse of the moon are concerned, it would appear that three-quarters of the nation will have at least some occasional views of the moon plunging through Earth's dark shadow. The period of total eclipse will begin at 2:26 a.m. Eastern Time early Friday morning, which corresponds to 11:26 p.m. Pacific time late this evening or 0626 GMT. Totality will last 66 minutes.
Read more: 'Blood Worm Moon' US weather forecast: Best places to see tonight's total lunar eclipse
Make sure you're in the right place at the right time tonight!
A dramatic total lunar eclipse will turn the moon blood red for millions across North America TONIGHT! Here are the best times to watch the show unfold.
Read more: What time is the 'Blood Moon' total lunar eclipse tonight?
It may look spooky, but a blood moon is just a trick of the light
A "blood moon" happens when Earth's moon is in a total lunar eclipse. While it has no special astronomical significance, the view in the sky is striking as the usually whitish moon becomes red or ruddy brown.
Read more: What is a blood moon?
What do lunar eclipses teach us about Earth?
While eclipses might've inspired fear in many ancient civilizations, they also inspired scientific discovery. "In ancient Greece, philosophers realized that the Earth is round because the shape of the Earth's shadow on the moon is always curved during an eclipse," Christine Shupla, education manager at the Lunar Planetary Institute, told Space.com. "This is perhaps one of the best-known discoveries from lunar eclipses."
Read more: What do lunar eclipses teach us about Earth?
Why does the moon turn red during a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse happens when a full moon moves through Earth's umbra, its dark shadow in space. As it does so, something spectacular happens: The entire moon turns reddish — an event that's often called a "blood moon."
Patient observers can watch this process happening as the gray full moon gradually turns red; displays ever-changing reddish, pinkish and orange hues for a short period; and then slowly returns to normal as it exits Earth's shadow.
But what are the physics behind this stunning event? Here's why the moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse.
Read more: Why does the moon turn red during a total lunar eclipse?
How do solar-powered moon probes survive a total lunar eclipse?
When the moon falls into Earth's shadow Thursday night into Friday (March 13-14), observers will be treated to views of a "blood moon" total lunar eclipse. But given that lunar spacecraft are solar-powered, how do they survive when they're cut off from the sun?
For NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been orbiting the moon since 2009, it will be time to batten down the hatches.
Continue reading: There's a total lunar eclipse coming. How will these 2 solar-powered moon probes survive the darkness?
This week's 'blood moon' eclipse mirrors one Christopher Columbus used to scare indigenous people in 1504
On March 13-14, 2025, skywatchers in the Americas will witness a total lunar eclipse that mirrors one Christopher Columbus is said to have used to his advantage over five centuries ago.
In 1504, Christopher Columbus, on his fourth trans-Atlantic voyage, was stranded on the shores of Jamaica, with his ships crawling with marine worms and his crew hungry. The Indigenous Arawak people, who had initially welcomed the Europeans, had grown weary of their demands.
But Columbus had a trick up his sleeve: According to The Guardian, he consulted his astronomical tables and saw that a total lunar eclipse was imminent on March 1, 1504.
What will happen during the total lunar eclipse of March 2025?
Observers across most of the United States will have front-row seats to the spectacular total lunar eclipse overnight on March 13-14.
The viewing circumstances for the total eclipse of the full moon that night will be as good as it can get for much of the United States and Canada. The western part of the continent has the best view, but the spectacle of the moon completely immersed in the Earth's shadow will be readily visible from coast to coast.
The duration of totality will be longer than normal, lasting 1 hour and 6 minutes.
Read more: What will happen during the total lunar eclipse of March 2025?
Where to see the blood moon total lunar eclipse
On March 13-14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across Earth's night side.
Although the point of greatest eclipse will be in the Pacific Ocean, North America and South America will get the best views. Some areas of Europe will get a slight view of the moonset, and East Asia will glimpse the spectacle at moonrise.
Read more: Where will the 'Blood Moon' total lunar eclipse be visible in March 2025?
One month to go: Are you ready for the total lunar eclipse?
With just one month to go until the total lunar eclipse, here's everything you need to know to make sure you are 'Blood Moon' ready.
Read more: Total lunar eclipse brings a Blood Moon to North America next month. Here's how to see it
