When, Where, and How to See the March Total Lunar Eclipse

The month of March is starting off with a bang in the skies as a total lunar eclipse will turn the moon a bright red. Here is everything that you need to know about where and when you can catch this natural wonder in the night sky.

What to Know About the Science of the Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse

Over 3.3 billion people around the world live in areas where the March total lunar eclipse will be visible, should Mother Nature lend a helping hand. Americans will enjoy the best views of totality along the West Coast, stretching from Washington to the south to the border with Mexico.

According to Timeanddate.com, the special event will unfold on Monday, March 2, and into the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3. Althoguh the western U.S. will see the maximum eclipse, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible across much of the rest of the nation before the sun rises on Tuesday.

Many people refer to lunar eclipses as blood moons. This is because the moon appears vibrant red or copper-colored as it rises in the sky, creating a stark contrast against the darkness of the night. A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes completely through Earth's darkest shadow. This shadow is known more technically as the umbra. Rather than disappearing when it moves through the umbra, the moon takes on the distinctive reddish color as sunlight dances through the atmosphere surrounding the Earth.