PRESS STATEMENT
DOST-PAGASA S&T Media Service
23 February 2026
Quezon City
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
03 March 2026
On March 3, 2026, the Moon will be totally eclipsed in Manila and other parts of the Philippines for about 59 minutes and 24 seconds. This Total Lunar Eclipse will be completely visible over Eastern Asia, Australia, the Central Pacific, and most of the Americas.
Weather permitting, the public is invited to observe the Moon on March 3, 2026. The maximum eclipse happens at 7:34 PM, with the Moon entering totality at 7:04 PM. During the Umbral Phase, the Moon will remain in the Earth's primary shadow until 8:03 PM and leave the Umbral shadow at 9:17 PM. The Moon will rise in Manila at 5:58 PM, already partially eclipsed. These stages will continue until the Moon emerges from the Penumbral shadow at 10:25 PM. [Figure 1 on the attached PDF below]
During the maximum eclipse, the Umbral shadow cast by the Earth will obscure 100% of the Moon's disk. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as a BLOOD MOON, as it appears red during the eclipse due to the way Earth’s atmosphere filters and scatters sunlight. [Figure 2 on the attached PDF below]
The predicted times of occurrence of the major phases of the Total Lunar Eclipse in different Metropolitan areas of the Philippines on March 3, 2026, are shown in Table 1 (Shown on the attached PDF below).
The Total Lunar Eclipse is very easy to observe. A modest pair of binoculars will provide an excellent view of the Moon's surface, but not required. Contrary to solar eclipses, observing a lunar eclipse is completely safe and does not require any protective eyewear.
For more information, you may contact the Space Science and Astronomy Section of DOST-PAGASA at telephone number (02) 8284-0800 local 3015 to 3017, or email us at astronomy@pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
Originally Signed
NATHANIEL T. SERVANDO, Ph.D.
Administrator, PAGASA
Press Release_Total Lunar Eclipse on 03 March 2026
Department of Science and Technology
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration
Astronomical Services Administration
Philippine Standard Time
03:54:25 AM
16 March 2026