On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a spectacular lunar eclipse captivated skies around the world, with visibility possible across the United States during the morning hours.
And the first exciting photos are already pouring in.
A total lunar eclipse makes the moon appear dark red or orange, earning it the nickname “blood moon.” This color occurs because the Earth blocks most of the sunlight from reaching the moon.
The next lunar eclipse won’t be visible from the Americas until New Year’s Eve 2028, according to NASA, so depending on where you live, this may be your best chance to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon before long until 2029.
Blood Moon Pictures During a Lunar Eclipse
Sky fans have been treated to quite a few over the past few years, but this eclipse was the last of three consecutive lunar eclipses; the first takes place in March 2025 and the second takes place in September 2025.
Since the blood moon occurs just before sunrise, many had to wake up early to witness the phenomenon.
As a result, homeowners farther west in areas like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland, OR, had a better view, as the moon was higher in the sky during the “red” (total) phase, allowing them to see more of the eclipse before it descends below the horizon.
However, cloudy skies in many places dimmed the red light and it was better seen in cities in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.
The farther east you lived, the greater the number of homeowners in the race against the sun; and as the moon waned, so did the opportunity to see the full eclipse. However, in cities like New York and Philadelphia, the chance of seeing a partial blood moon was high given the lack of cloud cover that morning.
NASA reported that along with the lunar eclipse, several constellations were easier to see than normal during a full moon. In fact, during the lunar eclipse, the moon was aligned with the constellation Leo, just below the lion’s paws.
When was the blood moon?
According to Time and Date, the main viewing times for the March 3 lunar eclipse for this event varied in different time zones:
- Eastern Time: 6:04-7:02 am EST on March 3, 2026 (the moon will set during totality in the Eastern time zone)
- Average Time: 5:04-6:02 am CST on March 3, 2026
- Mountain Time: 4:04-5:02 am MST on March 3, 2026
- Pacific Time: 3:04-4:02 am PST on March 3, 2026
- Alaska Time: 2:04-3:02 am AKST on March 3, 2026
- Hawaii time: 1:04-2:02 am HST on March 3, 2026
For those who may have missed the blood moon, a live stream has been set up for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home and is replaying key moments of the eclipse for your enjoyment.
