In the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2026, skywatchers across North America—especially in Massachusetts and Florida—will be treated to a celestial spectacle that combines rarity, beauty, and a bit of cosmic coincidence. This event, a total lunar eclipse, will turn the full moon a dramatic reddish-orange, a phenomenon widely known as a "blood moon." But that’s not all: for a fleeting moment, some observers will also witness a selenelion, a rare alignment where both the totally eclipsed moon and the rising sun are visible on opposite horizons.
According to WBZ, the eclipse in Boston will last just about an hour, with totality visible from 6:04 a.m. to 7:02 a.m. The partial eclipse begins even earlier, at 4:50 a.m., for those willing to brave the cold and darkness. Sunrise in Boston is set for 6:16 a.m., and moonset follows at 6:17 a.m., creating a narrow window—just a couple of minutes—when the sun will rise in the east as the blood-red moon sets in the west. This overlap is the hallmark of a selenelion, a rarity that adds an extra layer of excitement for both amateur and seasoned astronomers.
Further south, in Florida, the full moon—known as the Worm Moon—will peak at 6:38 a.m. ET, according to USA TODAY and the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The name "Worm Moon" has roots in both folklore and natural history. Traditionally, it was thought to refer to earthworms appearing as the ground thaws in early spring. However, as noted by the Almanac and reported by USA TODAY, Captain Jonathan Carver in the 1760s wrote that Native American tribes used the term to describe beetle larvae emerging from tree bark as winter wanes. Other Indigenous names for the March full moon include Eagle Moon, Crow Comes Back Moon, Sugar Moon, and Wind Strong Moon, reflecting the diversity of cultures that have watched and named the lunar cycles for centuries.
The science behind the blood moon is as captivating as the view itself. As NASA explains, a total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth positions itself directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. The deepest part of this shadow, the umbra, is where the moon takes on its reddish hue. This coloration is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters shorter blue wavelengths and allows the longer red and orange wavelengths to reach the moon. "It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon," NASA notes, painting the lunar surface with a palette borrowed from dawn and dusk.
In Florida, the eclipse will begin at 3:44 a.m. ET, with the Earth's shadow starting to creep across the moon. Peak totality arrives at 6:33 a.m., just before sunrise at 6:43 a.m., according to USA TODAY. While most Floridians won’t see the moon fully covered at totality due to the timing near sunrise, the early phases of the eclipse will still be visible low on the western horizon. For the best chance of catching the event, experts recommend finding a spot with an unobstructed view to both the east and west—no special glasses or equipment required, unlike the solar eclipse of 2024.
Weather, as always, plays a crucial role in eclipse viewing. WBZ forecasts that in Massachusetts, skies will be clearest closer to the coastline and in southern New Hampshire around 6 a.m. Light pollution shouldn’t be a major issue near the city, but cloud cover could obscure the view. And don’t forget to bundle up—wind chills are expected to be in the single digits during the early morning hours.
For those eager to capture the moment, photographing a blood moon is entirely possible with a bit of preparation. USA TODAY and space.com offer some practical tips: clean your camera lens, avoid excessive zoom for the best quality, and consider using a tripod or a stable surface to prevent blurring. If you have access to a telescope, placing your phone’s lens over the eyepiece can yield impressive results. Many newer smartphones, such as the iPhone 12 Pro and high-end Samsung models, have telephoto cameras that can help you get closer to the action. Shooting in raw mode, if available, allows for better post-processing. And for a creative touch, try framing the moon with trees, buildings, or even its reflection in water. The key, as always, is to be ready and adapt to changing conditions.
The March 3 event is notable not just for its beauty but also for its rarity. While there are typically two to five lunar eclipses each year (including partial eclipses), total lunar eclipses are less frequent—about twice every few years, according to WBZ and space.com. Only about 29% of all lunar eclipses are total, and most locations on Earth can expect to see such an eclipse roughly once every 2.5 years. The March 3, 2026, blood moon will be the only total lunar eclipse visible anywhere in the world that year, making it a must-see for skywatchers. The next opportunity to witness a blood moon won’t come until New Year’s Eve 2028-2029, so this is not an event to miss.
For those keeping track of lunar phenomena, 2026 will be a busy year. There will be four eclipses—two solar and two total lunar eclipses. The full moons of 2026 have their own names and dates, with the Worm Moon on March 3, followed by the Pink Moon (April 1), Flower Moon (May 1), Blue Moon (May 31), Strawberry Moon (June 29), Buck Moon (July 29), Sturgeon Moon (August 28), Harvest Moon (September 26), Hunter’s Moon (October 26), Beaver Moon (November 24), and Cold Moon (December 23). There are 13 full moons in 2026, thanks to two occurring in May—a phenomenon known as a blue moon. Three of these will be supermoons, appearing larger and brighter than usual: January 3, November 24, and December 23.
As the March 3 eclipse approaches, astronomers and media outlets alike encourage the public to share their experiences and photos. WBZ invites viewers to send in their eclipse pictures via social media, helping to document this fleeting but unforgettable moment. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or simply an early riser with a smartphone, the 2026 blood moon offers a rare chance to connect with the rhythms of the cosmos—and perhaps, for just a few minutes, to stand in awe beneath a sky where sun and moon share the stage.