March’s full moon brings rare blood moon lunar eclipse

Spring is nearly here, and with it comes March’s full moon — a natural sign that winter is coming to an end. This year, however, the March full moon is especially significant.

Known as the worm moon, March’s full moon will coincide with a total lunar eclipse, commonly called a blood moon, when the moon takes on a striking reddish color.

The celestial event is expected to be visible across large parts of the United States.

The total lunar eclipse will occur in the early morning hours of March 3, according to NASA. It starts at 12:44 a.m. PT/3:44 a.m. ET, with peak viewing during the height of the eclipse, when the moon turns its deepest red.

According to NASA, a lunar eclipse can be safely observed without any special equipment. All you need is a clear view of the moon.

For the best experience, experts recommend heading to a dark location away from bright city lights. While it’s not necessary, using binoculars or a telescope can enhance the details and make the eclipse even more dramatic.