Stunning photos reveal the ‘blood moon’ total lunar eclipse
Don’t worry if you missed Tuesday’s total lunar eclipse. These images show the celestial marvel from around the world

The “blood moon” lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Frederic J. Brown/Getty Images
Early on Tuesday, a “blood moon” total lunar eclipse made our typically pearlescent moon appear a fiery crimson in what was the first and only total lunar eclipse of 2026.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and moon. As the star’s light filters through Earth’s atmosphere, it casts a red hue onto the lunar surface that looks much like the shades of a sunset. In case you missed it, photographers across the world captured the moon flushed red.

The blood moon over buildings in Manila.
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The eclipse was at least partially visible to sky-gazers across Asia and Australia, as well as North and South America. For those able to see it, the period of “totality,” or when the moon was fully covered in Earth’s shadow, reportedly lasted almost one hour.

The blood moon, as seen from Havana, Cuba.
The next total lunar eclipse isn’t due until New Year’s Eve in 2028, but Earth will experience a total solar eclipse this August. Look to the skies on August 12 to see the moon pass entirely in front of the sun, casting a dark shadow over parts of Greenland, the Arctic, Portugal and Spain. A partial lunar eclipse will also be visible starting on August 27.

A multiexposure composite image of the blood moon in Auckland, New Zealand.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can’t-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world’s best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
