Residents of Brevard County will have a rare chance to witness a total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, March 3, when the moon is expected to turn a deep red hue. The event, caused by Earth's shadow blocking sunlight from reaching the moon, will be visible across Florida and the eastern United States. According to timeanddate.com, the eclipse will begin at 3:44 a.m. ET and last until 6:47 a.m. ET, with the moon reaching its fullest blood red color at 6:33 a.m.
The eclipse will be best viewed from Brevard County's western areas, where the moon will appear high in the sky. Weather forecasts as of Friday indicate partly cloudy conditions Tuesday morning, which should allow for clear viewing. However, cloud cover could affect visibility. The moon will start to darken gradually at 3:44 a.m., but the most striking blood red color will become visible around 6 a.m. as Earth's shadow fully obscures the moon.
No special equipment is needed to watch the eclipse. Observers should look toward the west, where the moon will be positioned. The red color occurs because only the longest wavelength of light—red—is refracted around Earth's atmosphere, according to Florida Today. The event will end shortly after sunrise at 6:47 a.m., when the moon will begin to set in the west.
Local astronomers recommend setting alarms early to catch the full spectacle. The eclipse will mark the first total lunar eclipse visible from Brevard County since 2020. For those unable to view it in person, live streams will be available from NASA and other astronomy organizations. The next total lunar eclipse visible from the Space Coast is not expected until 2028.