‘Blood moon’ eclipse to light up Wyoming sky in early morning hours March 3
CHEYENNE – Wyoming residents who set their alarms early Tuesday morning will be rewarded with one of nature’s most dramatic celestial displays: a total lunar eclipse, popularly known as a “blood moon.”
The partial eclipse begins at 2:50 a.m. Mountain Standard Time as Earth’s shadow starts to creep across the moon’s surface. Totality, the peak phase when the moon glows a deep coppery red, runs from 4:04 to 5:02 a.m. MST on March 3.
Wyoming sits squarely in the Mountain Time Zone, placing it among the best-positioned states in the nation to witness the full event. Locations in the MST zone will see the entire total phase of the eclipse above the horizon, with the moon visible throughout totality before it begins to set.
No special equipment is required. NASA and astronomers agree a clear view of the western sky and patience are the only prerequisites.
What causes the red color?
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon appears dark red or orange because Earth blocks most of the sun’s light from reaching the moon, and the light reaching the lunar surface is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere – essentially projecting the light of all of the world’s sunrises and sunsets onto the moon.
This eclipse coincides with the Worm Moon, the traditional name for March’s full moon. Native Americans called it this because it marks the time when worm trails begin to appear in thawing ground, signaling the end of winter and the start of spring.
Astronomers and media outlets have taken to calling this year’s event the “Blood Worm Moon.”
A rare and fleeting opportunity
This total lunar eclipse will be the only one of 2026 visible from North America, and it is the last until late 2028, making it a rare chance for skywatchers in the region.
Totality lasts 58 minutes and 19 seconds, with the maximum phase – when the moon appears darkest and most vividly red – occurring at 4:33 a.m. MST.
Wyoming viewers should look to the western sky as the moon approaches the horizon during those final minutes of totality.
Wyoming Stargazing, a Jackson Hole-based astronomy outreach organization, called the eclipse a standout event for the region.
“There’s something unforgettable about watching the moon slowly shift from bright silver to deep red over the Tetons,” the organization wrote on its website. “It’s quiet. It’s dramatic. And it reminds you just how dynamic our sky really is.”
Tips for viewing
Astronomers recommend heading outside well before totality begins to watch Earth’s shadow gradually consume the moon – a slow-building drama in its own right. Watching about 75 minutes before totality gives observers a chance to see the edge of Earth’s shadow inch across the lunar surface during the partial phases.
Dress in warm layers. March mornings in Wyoming can be bitterly cold, and the full eclipse sequence lasts several hours.
Find an unobstructed view to the west, away from city lights if possible.
Binoculars will enhance the experience, though the naked eye is enough to appreciate the moon’s transformation.
As Earth’s shadow dims the lunar surface, constellations may be easier to spot than they usually are during a full moon. At the time of the eclipse, the moon will be in the constellation Leo, under the lion’s hind paws.
After March 3, the next opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse from anywhere on Earth will come on the morning of Dec. 31, 2028. The eclipse is already being called the New Year’s Eve Blood Moon.
This story was published on Feb. 25, 2026.