Rare Total Lunar Eclipse and Selenelion Coming to Boston Area

Tuesday morning's celestial event will feature a blood moon, worm moon, and a brief glimpse of the sun rising at the same time as the eclipsed moon sets.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A rare total lunar eclipse will be visible in the Boston area early Tuesday morning, coinciding with the rising sun in a phenomenon known as a selenelion. The eclipse will last about an hour, turning the moon a reddish-brown "blood moon" color, and will also feature the March "worm moon." Skywatchers will have a brief window to see both the eclipsed moon setting in the west and the sun rising in the east on the horizon.

Why it matters

Total lunar eclipses are relatively uncommon, occurring only about twice every few years, and the added phenomenon of a selenelion makes this event even more rare. It provides a unique celestial display that will be visible to residents in the Boston area and across the East Coast.

The details

The total lunar eclipse will be visible in the Boston area from 6:04 a.m. to 7:02 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2026. During this time, the moon will turn a reddish-brown "blood moon" color due to the Earth's shadow. The partial eclipse begins earlier at 4:50 a.m. The selenelion, where both the eclipsed moon and the rising sun are visible on the horizon, will occur for just a couple of minutes around 6:16 a.m. as the moon sets and the sun rises.

  • The partial lunar eclipse begins at 4:50 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.
  • The total lunar eclipse will be visible from 6:04 a.m. to 7:02 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.
  • Sunrise in Boston on Tuesday, March 5, 2026 is at 6:16 a.m.
  • Moonset in Boston on Tuesday, March 5, 2026 is at 6:17 a.m.

The players

Boston Area

The region in and around the city of Boston, Massachusetts where the total lunar eclipse and selenelion will be visible.

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What’s next

Skywatchers in the Boston area are advised to find a location with an unobstructed view of both the eastern and western horizons to witness the rare selenelion event on Tuesday morning.

The takeaway

This total lunar eclipse, featuring a blood moon, worm moon, and a brief selenelion, is a unique celestial event that will be visible to residents in the Boston area and across the East Coast. Total lunar eclipses are relatively uncommon, occurring only about twice every few years, making this a must-see opportunity for skywatchers.