A rare blood moon lunar eclipse will appear over SC soon. Here’s when, how best to watch

The first major astronomical event of 2026 will take place March 3.

It’s a total lunar eclipse when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, making the moon appear a deep reddish orange.

It’s commonly called a blood moon and is caused by the earth casting a gigantic shadow.

Unlike a solar eclipse, you do not have to wear special equipment to see it.

But you do have to get up early.

In South Carolina, the moon will enter the Earth’s shadow at 3:44 a.m., NASA said, with the totality coming between 6:04 a.m and 7:02 a.m. and lasting 58 to 65 minutes.

The alignment of Sun, Earth and Moon comes only during a full Moon.

NASA suggests going to a dark environment away from bright lights and using binoculars or a telescope for the most dramatic view.

Also, constellations may be easier to spot. The moon will be under the lion’s hind paws in the constellation Leo during the eclipse.

This is the only total lunar eclipse until 2028.

On Feb. 28, six planets — Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — will form an arc across the sky. The best time to see it in South Carolina is 6:24 p.m. and binoculars or a telescope are needed to see the fainter planets.

Also NASA says, Venus and Saturn appear close to each other on March 8.

NASA has a What’s Up guide for skywatching tips, and lunar observing recommendations in its Daily Moon Guide.

This story was originally published February 26, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "A rare blood moon lunar eclipse will appear over SC soon. Here’s when, how best to watch."