Guidance on the Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse Happening This Evening

Preparing for Tonight's Complete Lunar Eclipse during the Full Moon Phase

Total Lunar Eclipse to Light Up the Skies on March 3, 2026

Get ready for a celestial spectacle! NASA has announced that the next total lunar eclipse will take place on March 3, 2026. This astronomical event is not to be missed, especially for those living in the Americas.

Unfortunately, the total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, will not be visible during daytime hours for most of the Americas. However, the good news is that this eclipse will be visible in all of the Americas, Pacific, and parts of Australia and Eastern Asia.

On the other hand, the total lunar eclipse on Sunday night (exact date and time vary by location) will be a sight to behold for viewers in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Australia, in particular, will get the best views, with cities like Sydney and Melbourne able to witness the eclipse in the wee hours of the morning.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun, completely shadowing the Moon. During the totality phase, the Moon is completely submerged in the Earth's shadow, creating a dark, rusty red hue around the Moon, often referred to as the "blood moon."

The totality phase of Sunday's lunar eclipse will last an unusually long 83 minutes, making it a must-see event for astronomy enthusiasts. In contrast, the totality phase of the next total lunar eclipse in 2026 is estimated to last about 58 minutes, shorter than Sunday's eclipse.

It's worth noting that a total lunar eclipse is not visible every lunar cycle (roughly every month). In fact, only about 29% of lunar eclipses are total lunar eclipses.

Before the grand event in 2026, there's another total lunar eclipse happening this year. The first total lunar eclipse of the year took place on the night bridging March 13 to March 14.

The total lunar eclipse on Sunday night consists of three phases: penumbral, partial, and totality. All you need to watch the total lunar eclipse is a clear night sky and minimal light pollution for an even better view.

In 2025, only two lunar eclipses will occur. The first (March 14, 2025) will be visible low on the horizon in the west just before moonset, and the second (September 7, 2025) will be fully visible, especially in the eastern parts of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Central and eastern Europe can expect to see both eclipses, with the first visible under good conditions, although it may be low on the horizon just before moonset.

So, mark your calendars for March 3, 2026, for a spectacular total lunar eclipse that will light up the skies for many parts of the world. And don't forget to check the skies for the upcoming eclipse on Sunday night, if you're in the right part of the world to witness it!