March 2026 Blood Moon: Last Total Lunar Eclipse Visible from the US Until 2029
The March 3, 2026 total lunar eclipse turned the Moon blood-red for 58 minutes, visible across Asia, Australia, and the Americas. With the next total lunar eclipse not until December 31, 2028, this calculator helps you plan for upcoming eclipses by computing exact local timing, Moon altitude, Danjon brightness prediction, visibility score, and photography exposure settings for any location on Earth.
Ready to run the numbers?
Why: With the last total lunar eclipse from US soil until 2029 just occurred, millions are searching for when the next blood moon is and how to view it. This calculator provides precise local timing, visibility predictions, and photography settings.
How: Uses NASA/EclipseWise contact times with timezone conversion, astronomical altitude/azimuth calculations, Danjon scale atmospheric brightness modeling, and camera field-of-view geometry to produce location-specific eclipse viewing plans.
Run the calculator when you are ready.
Eclipse & Location
Photography Settings
Eclipse Phase Durations
Moon Altitude During Eclipse
Moon below 0ยฐ = below horizon. Red dot = mid-eclipse. Higher altitude = better viewing.
Upcoming Eclipse Types (2026-2030)
Umbral Magnitude Comparison
Red = selected eclipse. Orange = total. Blue = partial. Gray = penumbral. Magnitude >1.0 = total eclipse.
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
Answer Capsule: A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when Earth's atmosphere refracts red light onto the Moon. The March 3, 2026 eclipse had 58 minutes of totality with magnitude 1.151. Next total: Dec 31, 2028. No special glasses needed โ lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye.
Key Takeaways
- โข In India, a lunar eclipse is called Chandra Grahan โ traditionally observed with rituals and fasting practices
- โข Umbral magnitude >1.0 means total eclipse โ the higher the magnitude, the deeper the Moon enters Earth's umbra
- โข The Danjon scale rates eclipse brightness from L0 (nearly invisible) to L4 (bright copper-orange)
- โข Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view without any eye protection
- โข The March 2026 blood moon was the last total lunar eclipse visible from the US until December 31, 2028
What Are the Types of Lunar Eclipses?
๐ด Total Lunar Eclipse
Moon fully enters Earth's umbra. Turns blood-red from refracted sunlight. Totality lasts 30-100 minutes. Magnitude >1.0. Most spectacular type.
๐ Partial Lunar Eclipse
Moon partially enters umbra. Part appears dark/reddish while the rest stays bright. Magnitude 0.0-1.0. Visible worldwide where Moon is up.
โช Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Moon passes through Earth's penumbral shadow only. Subtle darkening โ often imperceptible to casual observers. Most common but least dramatic.
The Danjon Luminosity Scale
Scale created by Andrรฉ Danjon in 1921. Volcanic eruptions (e.g. Pinatubo 1991) can darken eclipses to L0 for years.
Why Does the Moon Turn Red?
Rayleigh Scattering
Sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere bends around our planet and onto the Moon. Blue wavelengths (~450nm) scatter away, while red wavelengths (~620-750nm) refract through โ the same physics that makes sunsets red. During totality, the Moon effectively sees every sunset and sunrise on Earth simultaneously.
Umbra and Penumbra
Earth casts two shadows: the dark inner umbra (no direct sunlight reaches the Moon) and the lighter outer penumbra (partial sunlight). The umbra cone at the Moon's distance is roughly 2.65 times the Moon's diameter, which is why totality can last over an hour.
Magnitude and Gamma
Umbral magnitude measures how deeply the Moon enters the umbra โ values above 1.0 indicate totality. Gamma measures the closest approach of the Moon's center to the shadow axis. Lower absolute gamma = deeper, longer totality.
Did You Know?
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a blood moon during a lunar eclipse?
During totality, sunlight refracts through Earth's atmosphere. Blue light scatters away (Rayleigh scattering) while red/orange wavelengths bend around Earth onto the Moon's surface, producing the characteristic blood-red color โ the same physics behind red sunsets.
When is the next total lunar eclipse visible from North America?
The March 3, 2026 total lunar eclipse was the last visible from the US until December 31, 2028. The August 28, 2026 partial eclipse is visible from the Americas, followed by a January 12, 2028 partial eclipse.
Do I need special glasses to watch a lunar eclipse?
No. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope. The Moon reflects only a tiny fraction of sunlight, so there is zero risk of eye damage during any phase of a lunar eclipse.
How long does a total lunar eclipse last?
Totality typically lasts 30-100 minutes, while the entire event from first penumbral contact to last can span 5-6 hours. The March 2026 blood moon had ~58 minutes of totality. The December 2029 eclipse will have ~84 minutes of totality.
What is the Danjon scale for lunar eclipses?
French astronomer Andrรฉ Danjon created a 5-point brightness scale (L0-L4) for total lunar eclipses. L0 is nearly invisible (major volcanic eruptions darken the atmosphere), L4 is bright copper-orange with a blue rim. Most eclipses rate L2-L3.
How do I photograph a blood moon?
During totality use ISO 800-3200, shutter speed 0.5-4 seconds, aperture f/4-f/5.6, and a 200-300mm+ telephoto lens on a sturdy tripod. During partial phases drop to ISO 100-400 and 1/125-1/250s. Shoot RAW and bracket exposures.
Blood Moon Photography Guide
๐ท Partial Phases
ISO 200-400 | 1/60-1/125s | f/8 | Use manual focus on the Moon's terminator for sharpest results.
๐ด Totality (Blood Moon)
ISO 800-3200 | 0.5-4s | f/4-5.6 | Exposure changes dramatically โ bracket heavily. The Moon dims by 10,000x during totality.
๐ญ Essential Gear
200-500mm telephoto lens, sturdy tripod, remote shutter release, extra batteries (cold nights drain them fast). No solar filter needed.
๐ก Pro Tips
Shoot RAW format. Practice Moon photography before the eclipse. Tape down focus ring after achieving focus. Use mirror lock-up to reduce vibration.
Upcoming Lunar Eclipses (2026โ2030)
| Date | Type | Magnitude | Totality | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 3, 2026 | total | 1.151 | 58 min | Asia, Australia, Pacific, Americas |
| Aug 28, 2026 | partial | 0.930 | โ | Americas, Europe, Africa, western Asia |
| Jan 12, 2028 | partial | 0.066 | โ | Americas, Europe, Africa |
| Jul 6, 2028 | partial | 0.389 | โ | Asia, Australia, Pacific, Americas |
| Dec 31, 2028 | total | 1.243 | 59 min | Americas, Europe, Africa, western Asia |
| Jun 26, 2029 | total | 1.178 | 42 min | Americas, Europe, Africa |
| Dec 20, 2029 | total | 1.117 | 84 min | Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Jun 15, 2030 | partial | 0.500 | โ | Asia, Australia, Pacific |
Official Sources
Disclaimer: Eclipse contact times are based on NASA/EclipseWise data and may vary by a few minutes. Moon altitude calculations are approximate โ atmospheric refraction and local horizon obstructions affect actual visibility. Always verify with TimeAndDate.com for precise local times. Photography settings are starting points; adjust based on actual conditions.
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