Blood Moon lunar eclipse 2026 is tonight. When and where to view

A total lunar eclipse will happen in the early hours on March 2–3, with the best views occurring in western North America.

About 176 million people, or 2% of the world's population, will be able to witness the eclipse's complete phases, weather permitting, according to TimeandDate.com.

Over the course of its nearly 1 hour of totality, the moon will change to deep shades of rusty red, creating a breathtaking sight in the night sky. The next total lunar eclipse won't be visible in the United States until June 2029, according to NASA.

March's full moon will also be a worm moon, which will peak on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:38 p.m. EST, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. Because it falls during a total lunar eclipse, this particular full moon is special. Total lunar eclipses are often called "blood moons" due to the moon's tendency to become rusty red when it is completely hidden by Earth's shadow.

Where will the 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse be visible?

The total lunar eclipse will be visible over North America, parts of South America, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

If you live in the western United States, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, you'll be able to see the lunar eclipse's peak totality. The total eclipse duration, including the penumbral and partial phases, is estimated to be 5 hours and 39 minutes, according to TimeandDate.com.

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The moon's path during the 'blood moon' eclipse

The first total lunar eclipse to be seen in the Americas since March 2025 happens as the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow. This NASA animation shows Pacific Coast times during the Moon's different phases, as well as the shifting look as it moves into and out of the Earth's shadow.

What causes the moon to turn red on a 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse?

During a lunar eclipse, which is when the Earth lines up exactly between the moon and the sun, the moon appears darker because the Earth obscures the sun with its shadow. Only light from Earth’s atmosphere reaches the moon, which can tint the moon reddish with light reflected from sunsets and sunrises on Earth.

Why is it called a worm moon?

This month's full moon is known as the worm moon: For millenniums, people across the world, including Native Americans in the eastern and central United States, named the months after nature’s cues. Each full moon has its own name, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

"The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon," the almanac said. "Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred."

This full moon is called a worm moon because in cold climates, the ground begins to thaw and earthworms appear. 

Calendar of lunar eclipse's coming soon

CONTRIBUTING Doyle Rice/USA TODAY

SOURCES NASA, Space.com, TimeandDate.com and USA TODAY research

This story was updated to add new information.