On March 3, 2026the full Worm Moon will slip into Earth’s shadow and change a strange copper-reddish color for 58 minutes. To the naked eye it will be a beautiful sight, with the light of the full moon extinguished like a “blood moon” sits in a dark sky, but if you want to get the most out of this total lunar eclipse, you’ll need optics.
Through binoculars or a telescope, the sight of the eclipsed moon becomes something much more affecting. You can see the curved edge of the Earth’s shadow slide slowly across the moon’s surface during the partial phases, before the totality sees craters, mountain ranges and maria appear drenched in the light of a thousand sunsets. These are details that only magnification can reveal.
This eclipse will be the first total lunar eclipse since the 7th-8th. September 2025, and the last anywhere on Earth until New Year’s Eve 2028. Sure, a deep 93% partial lunar eclipse will be a must-see on August 27, 2026, but true totality—when the full moon isn’t submerged in North America—not to return to North America. almost three years after March 2026.
On March 3, 2026, totality will last 58 minutes, but the entire event – including penumbral and partial phases – will last 5 hours and 38 minutes. In North America, totality will occur early in the morning; the moon will set below totality in many eastern locations, with those in CST time zones able to see the event shortly before moonset (5:04 a.m. – 6:02 a.m. CST). Those further west will see the event earlier, and thus higher in the sky. No matter where you’re watching from, try to start watching at least 75 minutes before totality to see Earth’s shadow inch across the bright lunar disc. If you have optics handy, the core phases of a total lunar eclipse are one of the most underrated sights in astronomy.
Total lunar eclipse: using binoculars
If you want to upgrade your eclipse experience in a simple and affordable way, you can get binoculars. Even a basic pair will reveal details that the naked eye completely misses. During the sub-phases you will clearly see the curve of the Earth’s shadow moving across the surface. As totality approaches and the moon dims, the binoculars will reveal variations in color and texture. The moon’s maria – the vast lava-filled plains – will appear darker and more defined. Manefjell in the south will come into view, swathed in colour. Even the reddish hue beneath totality requires a close-up view, with binoculars allowing you to see flecks of blood red, copper and even pink tones as the moon moves through sunlight refracted by Earth’s atmosphere.
Since the moon is relatively large and bright, almost any binoculars will do; 8×42 or 10×50 models are ideal for beginners who want an impressively large view of the moon. Such models, which offer 8x or 10x magnification and 42mm or 50mm apertures, are lightweight, relatively inexpensive and provide a wide field of view that comfortably frames the entire moon. Higher magnification binoculars such as 12×50 or 15×70 – the latter considered specialist astronomy binoculars – will bring the lunar surface closer. However, increased magnification means more handshakes. It’s difficult to hold heavy binoculars still enough to take advantage of the extra magnification, so consider purchasing an L-shaped tripod adapter to stabilize the sight on a camera tripod you already own. The more expensive alternative is to get hold of image-stabilized binoculars, which electronically counteract hand pressure.
Total lunar eclipse: using a telescope
If you want to get even closer to the eclipsed moon, all you need is a telescope. Refractor telescopes are generally considered the best for seeing planets, but since the Moon is large and relatively bright—even during full moon—reflector telescopes also work well. You don’t have to go big. Small refractor telescopes with apertures between 70mm and 100mm are a great place to start; they are easy to use and will give you sharp, high-contrast views of the moon’s surface. If you want to go really big, go for a 6-inch or 8-inch reflector telescope, which collects more light and produces clearer images of even the darkest areas of the Moon during totality. Don’t worry about choosing between alt-azimuth (Alt-Az) and equatorial (EQ) mounts; since the moon is easy to find and track, the simplest manual mount will work well for eclipse viewing.
Before the eclipse begins, and during the initial (and final) penumbral phases of the eclipse—when the Moon moves through Earth’s hazy outer shadow—a lunar filter will reduce glare, increase contrast, and make the view much more pleasant. During the partial phases and especially during totality, the moon will darken dramatically, so there is no need for the filter.
Read more: What to expect during tonight’s total lunar eclipse: Key phases explained
With a small telescope, magnifications of 50x to 100x will offer a balance between detail and brightness. Larger telescopes allow magnifications of 150x or more. Either way, as totality deepens and the moon gets fainter, try increasing the magnification and focusing on some of the moon’s famous features bathed in red light, like Tycho crater rays and the rugged Apennines.
Total Lunar Eclipse: Astrophotography
A total lunar eclipse is one of the easiest major sky events to photograph. After all, at 58 minutes, it’s going to be a quiet experience, unlike the brief totality during a total solar eclipse. However, it requires adaptation to rapidly changing brightness levels – and some well-chosen equipment.
The easiest way is to use a smart telescope, which automatically finds and tracks the moon, adjusts exposure and stacks images, sending sharp, detailed close-up images of the eclipsed moon to your smartphone in real time. It’s hard not to create amazing photos.
For similar, but more detailed, close-ups of the moon, use at least a 200mm lens—ideally 400mm or longer—on a mirrorless or DSLR camera mounted on a sturdy tripod (or attached to a telescope using a T-ring adapter). During the brighter penumbral and partial phases, you may need a moon filter to reduce glare, although it should be removed during totality. Either way, you should use a remote shutter release or set an interval timer to reduce camera shake.
For wide-angle landscape shots with a mirrorless or DSLR camera (preferably full-frame to capture stars around the eclipsed moon), choose a 14mm-35mm lens. This allows you to frame the eclipsed moon in a landscape, providing context and scale.
Summary
The total lunar eclipse of March 3, 2026 offers nearly an hour of totality and over five hours of opportunity to photograph the ever-changing full moon as it moves through Earth’s shadow. With binoculars, a telescope or a carefully prepared camera setup, you will be able to see the moon up close. Check local weather reports, choose a viewing spot with an unobstructed view and arrive early to set up your gear. Dress warmly for pre-dawn temperatures and test your optics before the most dramatic stages begin. All night side off Earth where the moon is above the horizon can see total lunar eclipses, so they are not rare – but they are beautiful and astonishing to see, especially with more than just the naked eye.
