March started off with a “Blood Moon” appearance, signifying the occurrence of another total lunar eclipse worldwide after two lunar eclipses in September 2025.
Such an event happens when the Earth casts its shadow on the lunar surface during its passage between the Sun and the Moon, creating a reddish glow on the full moon.
Citing details posted by timeanddate, the Moon’s entry to the Earth’s penumbral shadow early in the morning UTC is what kicked off the awaited eclipse, which then progressed through the partial phase before reaching totality.
Totality, the final phase where the Moon is fully covered by Earth’s dark umbral shadow, was officially seen around 11:33 UTC and lasted for just about 58 minutes.
Global visibility and timing
This rare celestial occurrence was observed most clearly from regions including East Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and western North America.
From these locations, skywatchers witnessed the moon turn shades of deep red and copper during the height of the eclipse – a result of Earth’s atmosphere filtering sunlight and refracting the red wavelengths onto the lunar surface.
India was one of the Asian countries to have witnessed the eclipse coinciding with local sunset, enhancing the dramatic effect as the Moon rose already partially eclipsed.
A report from The Times of India noted that northern India was among the few areas that saw only the later stages of the eclipse due to moonrise times.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Boracay White Beach recognised among world’s top destinations by TripAdvisor
Occasional but rich with cultural impact
The festival of Holi became more memorable to many in northern India this year after it coincided with the lunar eclipse.
Locals described the situation as the “rare alignment” of Holi and “Chandra Grahan”, a local term for the lunar eclipse, which added an enchanting atmosphere to their cultural celebration.
Two lunar eclipses were observed last year, but they were nothing compared to the latest total lunar eclipse, which scientists have emphasised will be the only one expected this year.
The world can anticipate the next total lunar eclipse in late 2028.
READ NEXT: Look up: March’s full moon comes with a cosmic twist
Hazel Camba 
Jheruleene Anne Ramos 
Eugene Nicklaus S. Laqui