How to Witness the Total Lunar Eclipse “Blood Moon” on 3 March 2026, the Last Before 2029

Early March 2026 will be a special moment for night sky enthusiasts. A total lunar eclipse, often dubbed the blood moon, will occur on 3 March 2026, Indonesian time.

This phenomenon is more than just an ordinary eclipse. It is the last total lunar eclipse until 31 December 2028, and also the last one visible from North America until 25-26 June 2029. This means that after March 2026, we will have to wait almost three years to witness the moon turn completely red again due to the Earth’s shadow.

Even more special, this eclipse coincides with the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H, specifically around the 13th-14th of Ramadan.

“During the 58 minutes of totality, the moon moves completely into the Earth’s umbral shadow and turns red.”

During the totality phase, which lasts about 58 minutes, the Moon does not disappear. Instead, it turns a dramatic red – a sight always anticipated by sky observers.

The sunlight that passes through the Earth’s atmosphere undergoes refraction and filtering. Blue light with short wavelengths is scattered, while red light with longer wavelengths passes through and reaches the Moon’s surface.

This effect is similar to the colour of the sky at sunrise or sunset – except this time, the “twilight” occurs on the Moon’s surface.

However, the visual experience differs in each region because the Moon’s rising time is not the same.

Differences in Observation in Indonesia

Western Indonesia (WIB, such as Jakarta)

The Moon rises around 18:00-18:30 WIB, when the totality phase is already in progress or has just begun. This means that you will see the Moon already red when it appears on the eastern horizon.

Central Indonesia (WITA, such as Bali and Makassar)