Mark your calendars for March 3, 2026. A total lunar eclipse is set to light up the evening sky, and it will be visible across several parts of the Philippines, including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, if weather conditions cooperate.
Photo: Ulrike Bohr/Pixabay
According to DOST-PAGASA, the eclipse’s total phase will last for just under an hour, giving skywatchers a decent window to catch the event.
What will happen during the eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon. This casts a shadow on the moon’s surface. On March 3, the moon will already be partially covered by Earth’s shadow by the time it rises in Manila at 5:58 p.m.
Total eclipse begins at 7:04 PM, as the moon moves entirely into Earth’s darkest shadow, or umbra. Maximum eclipse follows at 7:34 PM, marking the moment when the moon is deepest within it. Totality ends at 8:03 PM, after which the moon gradually moves out of the darker shadow and later the lighter outer shadow (penumbra). The entire eclipse event wraps up at 10:25 PM.
During totality, the moon may take on a coppery or reddish tint. This happens because sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere and scatters, allowing red light to reach the moon’s surface. It’s why total lunar eclipses are sometimes called “blood moons.”
Do you need special equipment?
No special glasses are required. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye.
Binoculars can help you see more detail on the moon’s surface, and a small telescope can offer an even closer look, but neither is necessary to enjoy the view.
If you’re planning to step outside, finding a spot with minimal light pollution may make the eclipse easier to see. As always, cloud cover can affect visibility, so it may be helpful to check for weather updates closer to the date.
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