When can you see the Total Lunar Eclipse? NASA releases crucial timing maps for March 2026

Skywatchers across the United States are preparing for a rare celestial show. A total lunar eclipse will unfold in the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and it will be the last of its kind visible anywhere on Earth until 2029.

Just days before the event, NASA Scientific Visualization Studio published detailed maps and timing charts outlining exactly when and where the eclipse will be visible across the contiguous U.S.

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What makes the March 2026 full moon special?

The March full moon, traditionally known as the “Worm Moon,” will rise at dusk on Monday, March 2, 2026. The name reflects the thawing soil and return of earthworms that signal early spring. It is also the third and final full moon of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, as per a report by Forbes.

Hours after moonrise, the real spectacle begins. In the early morning of March 3, the moon will pass completely into Earth’s dark umbral shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse. During totality, the moon will take on a deep copper-red hue — the effect commonly referred to as a “blood moon.”

The entire eclipse will last more than five hours, but totality — the most dramatic phase — will run for 58 minutes and 15 seconds. Every stage of the eclipse is safe to observe with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

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When can you see totality in your time zone?

Although totality happens at the same global moment, local times differ across the country. According to NASA’s newly released shadow maps, the moon will move from right to left through Earth’s penumbra and umbra, clearly showing the curved outline of Earth’s shadow, as per a report by Forbes.

Here are the totality times by U.S. time zone:

Eastern Time: 6:04–7:02 a.m. EST (moonset occurs during totality for many locations)

Central Time: 5:04–6:02 a.m. CST

Mountain Time: 4:04–5:02 a.m. MST

Pacific Time: 3:04–4:02 a.m. PST

Alaska Time: 2:04–3:02 a.m. AKST

Hawaii Standard Time: 1:04–2:02 a.m. HST

In eastern states, the moon will set in the west while still fully eclipsed. Western states will have a better view, with darker skies and the moon positioned higher during totality, as per a report by Forbes.

Across most of the U.S., the first partial phase begins roughly one hour and 15 minutes before totality and continues about one hour and 15 minutes afterward where visible, as per a report by Forbes.

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When is the next total lunar eclipse?

This March event will be the last total lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth until New Year’s Eve 2028. For North America, the next opportunity won’t arrive until June 26, 2029.

There will, however, be a deep partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27–28, 2026, when 93% of the full moon will enter the umbra. While that event may produce a reddish tint, it will not match the full spectacle of totality seen on March 2–3, 2026, as per a report by Forbes.

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FAQs

Is the March 3, 2026 eclipse safe to watch?
Yes. All phases of the total lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

When is the next total lunar eclipse after this one?
The next total lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth will occur on New Year’s Eve 2028. North America must wait until June 26, 2029.