Rare ‘blood moon’ total lunar eclipse to loom over North America, Australia and New Zealand

Eclipse will feature a deep, coppery-red full moon on 3 March, with scientists predicting the best times to see it

North America, Australia and New Zealand will be treated to a rare total lunar eclipse on Tuesday known as a “blood moon”.

As the full moon dips into the planet’s shadow it will change colour to a “deep and coppery red”, says astrophysicist Dr Rebecca Allen of Swinburne University.

Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart – starts 10.04pm, ends 11.02pm

Brisbane – starts 9.04pm, ends 10.02pm

Adelaide – starts 9.34pm, ends 10.32pm

Darwin – starts 8.34pm, ends 9.32pm

Perth – starts 7.04pm, ends 8.02pm

New York, Washington DC – starts 3.44am, ends about 6.30am

Detroit – starts 3.44am, ends 7.06am

New Orleans, Chicago – starts 2.44am, ends about 6.24am

San Francisco, Los Angeles – starts 12.44am, ends about 6.23am

Tokyo – starts 5.44pm, ends 11.23pm

Beijing – starts 6.00pm, ends 10.23pm

Manila – starts 5.57pm, ends 10.23pm

Jakarta – starts 6.06pm, ends 9.23pm

The Guardian | 02 Mar 2026 00:50