Blood Moon to Grace Costa Rican Skies on March 3, 2026

The early morning of Tuesday, March 3, 2026, will bring a spectacular celestial event to Costa Rica: a total lunar eclipse, often called a “Blood Moon.” While not all phases of the eclipse will be visible across the country, the dramatic reddish hue of the Moon during totality will be observable before dawn.

Eclipse Times in Costa Rica

According to data from the Cientec Foundation, here’s the schedule for the eclipse in Costa Rica (UTC-6 time):

• 2:44 a.m.: The penumbral eclipse begins. This phase is not typically visible to the naked eye.
• 3:50 a.m.: The partial eclipse begins.
• 5:04 a.m.: The total eclipse begins.
• 5:33 a.m.: Eclipse center.
• 5:52 a.m.: The Moon sets.
• 6:02 a.m.: The total eclipse ends (not visible in Costa Rica).
• 7:17 a.m.: The partial eclipse ends (not visible in Costa Rica).
• 8:23 a.m.: The penumbral eclipse ends (not visible in Costa Rica).

The totality phase will last for 58 minutes and 58.1 seconds.

Why Does the Moon Turn Red?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon during a full moon, casting Earth’s shadow on the lunar surface [NASA]. This shadow has two parts: the penumbra, which causes a slight dimming, and the umbra, which blocks direct sunlight.

When the Moon is fully within the umbra, it often appears reddish. This happens because Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light, allowing red wavelengths to pass through and illuminate the Moon. This effect is similar to the colors seen during sunsets [NASA].

Where Will the Eclipse Be Visible?

According to NASA, totality will be observed on the night of March 3 in East Asia and Australia. It will be visible throughout the night in the Pacific Ocean. In the early morning, it will be seen in North America, Central America, and the western end of South America [NASA].

The eclipse will not be visible in Africa and Europe, and will be partially observed in parts of central Asia and much of South America.

More than 3 billion people will potentially be able to observe the phenomenon, weather permitting.

Eclipse Coincides with the Leo Constellation

The Cientec Foundation reports that this eclipse belongs to the saros 133 family and occurs 6.5 days before lunar perigee. This proximity will make the Moon appear larger than usual. During totality, the Moon will be located within the Leo constellation [CIENTEC].

The March 3 eclipse occurs two weeks after the February 17 annular solar eclipse, making them part of the same eclipse season.

How to Observe the ‘Blood Moon’

NASA indicates that all phases of the eclipse are safe to view with the naked eye, and no special equipment is required [NASA]. It is recommended to locate a dark, clear location away from artificial lights.

Binoculars can enhance the viewing experience, allowing for a closer look at the lunar surface. For photography, a tripod and manual adjustments are advisable, as the Moon will lose brightness during totality, requiring increased ISO and aperture adjustments.