Blood Moon

• 05 Mar 2026

On 3rd March 2026, skywatchers observed a total lunar eclipse, popularly called a “Blood Moon.”

Key Points

• A Blood Moon refers to the reddish appearance of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse.
• It occurs when Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon.
• During totality, the Moon enters Earth’s umbra, the darkest central part of its shadow.
• Sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light, leaving red wavelengths reaching the Moon.
• This atmospheric filtering gives the Moon its characteristic coppery-red colour, hence the name “Blood Moon.”
• In India, the event was observed as Chandra Grahan, with visibility after moonrise around evening hours.
• The eclipse lasted about 3 hours 27 minutes globally, with totality lasting roughly 58 minutes.