The eclipse happening now (March 2–3, 2026) is a total lunar eclipse , and it has already started in Universal Time. For the global schedule (UTC):

  • Penumbral eclipse begins: 08:44 UTC on March 3, 2026
  • Partial (noticeable “bite” out of the Moon) begins: 09:50 UTC
  • Total eclipse (Blood Moon) begins: 11:04 UTC

So if you’re asking “when does the eclipse start?” in the strict astronomical sense, the first stage is 08:44 UTC , but the part most people care about – when the Moon starts getting visibly eaten – is 09:50 UTC , and the full-on Blood Moon starts at 11:04 UTC.

Because the exact local start time depends on where you are (some places see all phases, some only part, and some not at all), you’d need to plug your city into an eclipse time calculator (like the one on timeanddate’s eclipse page) to get the precise local times.

Quick Scoop: What’s Going On?

  • This is a total lunar eclipse (a “Blood Moon”), the first lunar eclipse of 2026.
  • It’s visible from large parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America, and the oceans in between.
  • It’s also notable because it’s the last total lunar eclipse anywhere until the New Year’s 2028–2029 eclipse.

During totality, the Moon passes fully into Earth’s umbra and turns a reddish color, which is why you’ll see it described in news and forum chatter as a “Blood Moon” event.

Mini FAQ

Q: When does it really “start” for casual viewing?

  • If you want the first obvious change, look for the partial phase start at 09:50 UTC (adjusted to your local time).
  • If you only care about the dramatic red Moon, target the totality start at 11:04 UTC.

Q: Is it visible where I am?

  • In general, much of the world has at least some visibility, but exact visibility and timing depend on whether the Moon is above the horizon for you.
  • Many sites and forum posts today are pointing people to interactive maps where you enter your city to see a timeline animation for this specific eclipse.

Simple timing example (to picture it)

Using New York as a sample location:

  • Penumbral begins: 3:44 am local time
  • Partial begins: 4:50 am
  • Totality begins: 6:04 am

By the time it reaches maximum, the Moon has set there, which is why people are talking online about catching only the early and mid parts of the show from some North American cities.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.