Adelaide, it’s time to mark your calendars and set your alarms! This March, for one night only, the Adelaide sky will be transformed with a total lunar eclipse.
From the evening of Tuesday, March 3rd, to the early hours of Wednesday, March 4th, a total lunar eclipse will be fully visible from Adelaide. Often called a Blood Moon, the phenomenon occurs when Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow of deep red and orange tones over the Moon.
The eclipse will begin at 7:42pm with moonrise. At 8:20pm, the partial eclipse will begin, and the Moon will appear to slowly darken, becoming red as it climbs higher in the east-northeast sky. For the best early viewing, you’ll want a clear view toward the east-northeast, free from buildings or trees.
The real magic begins at 9:34pm when the total eclipse starts. This is the moment the Moon is completely covered by the Earth’s shadow. Maximum eclipse hits at 10:03pm, when the Moon sits closest to the centre of the shadow at an altitude of around 26 degrees. This is when it will be at its brightest red.
Total eclipse ends at 10:32pm, with partial eclipse until 11:47pm. The penumbral phase wraps up at 12:53am on Wednesday, March 4th, bringing the five-hour and ten-minute celestial event to a close.
The Moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse due to Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon that causes sunsets. As Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, the atmosphere filters sunlight, scattering blue light away while bending longer-wavelength red light onto the lunar surface.
Early March skies in Adelaide have historically been clear more often than not, with years past recording cloudy skies about 38 per cent of the time on this date since 2000. This year fingers are crossed for clear, open skies so that every stage total lunar eclipse can be experienced uninterrupted.
If you’re keen to get that uninterrupted view, it’s best to head somewhere with a clear line of sight. The experience is always best away from bright city lights, so head to the coast, the hills or a darker park for the best view.
This is the only total lunar eclipse visible from Adelaide in 2026, before future eclipses in 2027, 2028 and 2029 roll around. So whether this is your first rodeo or not, March 3rd will be a rare chance to watch the universe at work.
March Total Lunar Eclipse
When: March 3rd
Time: Best viewing around 10:03pm to 10:32pm
For more information, click here.
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