In the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse brought a blood moon visible for about an hour from East Asia to Central and North America.
In South Florida, the phenomenon could be seen despite cloud cover that briefly blocked the view in some areas. Here are a few images captured from this part of the world.
Blood moon and lunar eclipse in South Florida on March 3, 2026. Credit: Reynier
Blood moon and lunar eclipse in South Florida on March 3, 2026. Credit: Reynier
Blood moon and lunar eclipse in South Florida on March 3, 2026. Credit: Reynier
Blood moon and lunar eclipse in South Florida on March 3, 2026. Credit: Reynier
Blood moon and lunar eclipse in South Florida on March 3, 2026. Credit: Reynier
During this event, Earth sits exactly between the sun and the full moon, casting its shadow on our natural satellite and giving it that reddish hue—which is where the name “blood moon” comes from.
Eclipse times in South Florida (Eastern Time, ET)
Partial eclipse begins: around 4:50 a.m.
Totality begins: about 6:04 a.m.
Peak of the eclipse: near 6:33 a.m.
Totality ends: around 7:03 a.m. (not visible)
Partial eclipse ends: near 8:17 a.m. (not visible)
The most spectacular phase lasted nearly an hour, during which the moon appeared completely red or coppery to the naked eye.
Why does the moon look red?
During totality, direct sunlight doesn’t reach the moon. Still, some sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, where blue tones are scattered and reds, yellows, and oranges dominate, ultimately lighting up the lunar surface. It’s as if every sunrise and sunset on the planet were projected onto the moon at the same time.