Stunning Photos Capture 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse

Skywatchers around the world documented the celestial event in all its crimson glory.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The March 3, 2026 total lunar eclipse dazzled skywatchers across the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, who captured breathtaking images of the moon turning a deep, rusty red as it passed through Earth's shadow. Photographers from New Zealand to the Philippines to Utah documented the various phases of the eclipse, showcasing the grand scale of the orbital mechanics governing our solar system.

Why it matters

Total lunar eclipses are relatively rare, occurring only a few times per decade, and provide a stunning visual reminder of the complex interactions between Earth, the moon, and the sun. These celestial events captivate people worldwide and inspire greater interest in astronomy and the wonders of our universe.

The details

During a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes through the deepest part of Earth's shadow, known as the umbra. This blocks direct sunlight from reaching the lunar surface, causing it to take on a dramatic, blood-red hue. The red color is the result of sunlight being filtered and refracted through Earth's atmosphere, which scatters away the blue wavelengths while allowing the longer, redder wavelengths to pass through.

  • The total lunar eclipse occurred on March 3, 2026.
  • Totality was visible across large parts of the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.

The players

Phil Walter

A photographer who captured the moon as Earth's shadow began creeping across it over Auckland, New Zealand.

Ted Aljibe

A photographer who documented the lunar disk glowing orange over Manila, Philippines.

Fred Lee

A photographer who snapped the moon over Beijing, China, including a wide-angle shot minutes before totality.

Tayfun Coskun

A photographer who captured the moon's deep orange-red hue during totality.

Ezra Acayan

A photographer who combined multiple images into a stunning composite view of the eclipse over Santa Rosa, Philippines.

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What’s next

The next total lunar eclipse will occur on New Year's Eve 2028. Skywatchers will also have the opportunity to witness a spectacular total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, with the path of totality crossing Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.

The takeaway

The 2026 total lunar eclipse captivated skywatchers around the world, showcasing the grandeur of our solar system and inspiring greater interest in astronomy. These rare celestial events remind us of the awe-inspiring natural phenomena that occur in the cosmos above us.