During the night of March 2nd to March 3rdA rare and globally followed celestial event will take place: a total lunar eclipse, commonly called "Red Moon"This phenomenon occurs when the Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the lunar disk and filtering sunlight through its atmosphere, giving the Moon a characteristic reddish hue during totality. NASA describes this process as the Moon's gradual passage through the Earth's penumbra and then its full umbra, resulting in changes visible to the naked eye without any risk of observation.
This total eclipse is the only one of the year 2026 and will mark the next comparable event only to the end of December 2028, when the orbital configuration will allow another complete passage of the Moon into Earth's shadow.
How long will this eclipse last?
The eclipse will begin with the so-called phase penumbral, when the Moon enters the Earth's outer shadow. This stage marks the beginning of a slight darkening, difficult to perceive with the naked eye, but clearly visible to calibrated astronomical instruments. Very quickly, the Moon will begin its passage through the central shadow, called the "umbra," which will trigger the partial phase of the eclipse. The Moon's complete penetration into the Earth's shadow, the "total phase," will produce the effect of a red moon, the duration of which should reach approximately 58 minutes, according to astronomers' calculations. The entire event, from entry into the penumbra to final exit from the shadow, will last nearly 5 hours and 39 minutes.
The key moments of the eclipse, measured in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), include entry into the penumbra, the beginning of the partial phase, entry into and exit from the total phase, and the end of the phenomenon when the Moon completely leaves the Earth's shadow. These phases are precisely determined using calculations provided by astronomical observatories and make it possible to plan local observations according to observers' time zones.
Planetary visibility and observation factors
The eclipse will be visible in many regions of the globeprovided that local weather conditions permit. Optimal observation areas include theNorth Americaa large part of thePacific Ocean East Asia and Australia, where the entire eclipse can be followed from a clear night sky.
Unlike what happens elsewhere on Earth, theEurope and Africa will not see the entire eclipse.because the Moon will either already have set or will be very close to the horizon when the key phases take place, thus limiting the visual experience for observers in these regions.
For those not located in an area with direct visibility, many scientific institutions and online platforms will offer live broadcasts of the event from locations where it will be observable.
Spectacular nature and universal access
Professor Laura DriessenAn astrophysicist at the University of Sydney explained that this type of eclipse is particularly accessible to the public because it does not require no specialized equipment required for safe observation The naked eye is sufficient, and the use of binoculars or telescopes can only enhance the perception of lunar details. This safe and spectacular aspect contributes to the interest that total lunar eclipses generate among amateur astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts.
Furthermore, the relatively long duration of the phase of totalitylasting almost an hour, it offers a sufficient observation window for observers in different parts of the globe to admire the phenomenon and, for some, to take detailed astrophotographic photographs.
In France, the eclipse will not be visible
In metropolitan France, the Red Moon of March 3rd, which will take place 09:44am to 15:23pmUnfortunately, the Moon will not be visible, as it will already be low on the horizon or absent from the sky during the eclipse. The phases of the eclipse—entry into the penumbra, totality, and exit—will occur during the day, making any observation impossible from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, or elsewhere in mainland France. Only certain areas of the French Southern Territories might be able to see the Moon at the time of the event. For residents of mainland France, it will be necessary to follow the phenomenon via online broadcasts from regions where the eclipse will be visible.
