Western Washington will witness a rare celestial event on March 3, 2026, as a total lunar eclipse paints the sky red.
SEATTLE — Mark your calendars, western Washington! On the early morning of March 3, 2026, we will have a front-row seat to a striking celestial event: a total lunar eclipse, also known as a “Blood Moon.” During the peak of the eclipse, the moon will appear deep red and copper as it slips fully into Earth’s shadow. Weather permitting, the entire event will be visible from our region!
When to look up (Pacific Standard Time)
The eclipse will occur overnight Monday into early Tuesday morning, March 3.
12:44 a.m. – The moon begins to dim slightly as the penumbral eclipse starts1:50 a.m. – The partial eclipse begins as Earth’s shadow moves across the moon, gradually darkening its surface3:04 a.m. – Totality begins and the moon turns fully red3:33 a.m. – Peak eclipse4:02 a.m. – Totality ends5:17 a.m. – Partial eclipse ends6:23 a.m. – Penumbral eclipse ends
The dramatic red-moon phase lasts just under one hour, making the early-morning wake-up well worth it for skywatchers. The entire event will last around 5 hours and 39 minutes.
Why the moon turns red
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse doesn’t make the moon disappear. Instead, Earth blocks direct sunlight, and the only light that reaches the moon is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere. That filtered light bends and scatters, casting red and orange hues onto the lunar surface. The exact color can vary from rusty red to dark copper — depending on atmospheric conditions at the time.
What western Washington viewers should know
No eye protection needed! Lunar eclipses are totally safe to watch with the naked eye.Binoculars or a small telescope can reveal more detail of the moon, but they are not necessary for viewing. Cloud cover and precipitation are the biggest wildcards. Early March in western Washington is variable, and sky conditions will ultimately determine visibility.During totality, the moon will be well above the horizon, meaning regional terrain should not obstruct the view. The Cascades and Olympics will not block the eclipse for most western Washington. However, as with any celestial event, an unobstructed view will be your best option.
Why this total lunar eclipse is extra special
This is the only total lunar eclipse in 2026 that will be fully visible from start to finish in Seattle and much of western North America. The next total lunar eclipse will occur on December 31, 2028. A partial lunar eclipse will occur later in August 2026. This occurs when Earth’s shadow covers only part of the moon. During this partial lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow will cover a large portion of the moon, causing part of the lunar surface to darken noticeably. However, the moon will not turn fully red since it will not enter Earth’s shadow completely.
Bottom line
If the weather cooperates, the March 3 lunar eclipse will offer one of the most visually striking night-sky events of the year — right over Seattle and western Washington! Set an alarm, grab a warm jacket and blanket, and look up!
