DUANE SHERRILL
Editor (Tullahoma News)
Middle Tennesseans will get to witness a Blood Moon Tuesday morning; however, only the early birds will see the rare astronomical phenomenon as it will happen just before dawn March 3.
The lunar eclipse will reach totality at 5:04 a.m. (CST) and will remain hidden for almost an hour as totality ends at 6:02 a.m. (CST) just before sunrise at 6:12 a.m. During the event, the Moon will become reddish and become what is called a blood moon.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, casting the Earth’s shadow over the lunar surface. During the peak of the event, the moon can take on a reddish hue as sunlight is filtered and bent through Earth’s atmosphere, creating the dramatic “blood moon” effect. As for the Blood Moon phenomenon, the event happens because Earth’s atmosphere scatters the shorter blue wavelengths of light while allowing longer red wavelengths to pass through relatively unhindered. This effect, known as Rayleigh scattering, is the same reason that the sky takes on awe-inspiring shades of red and orange around sunset.
The beginnings of the eclipse will get started at 4:50 a.m. on the western horizon as the Moon starts entering the Earth’s shadow. The full Moon associated with the upcoming eclipse is also known as the Worm Moon, named for the time when the ground softens, allowing earthworms to emerge.
No special equipment needed; just find a dark, clear spot with a good view of the horizon, as the Moon will be low. Binoculars (7×50 or 10×50) are recommended to see the deep red or copper color and surface details.
There are four eclipses in 2026—two solar and two lunar. Eclipses tend to occur in seasons, repeating about six months apart. In 2026, they fall in late winter and late summer. The Annular Solar Eclipse (not visible from N. America) happened on Feb. 17. The Total Lunar Eclipse will be visible in Middle Tennessee and happen March 3. A Total Solar Eclipse (partial visibility from Canada and northern U.S.) will happen on Aug. 12. There will also be a Partial Lunar Eclipse on Aug. 27-28.
Those getting good shots of the Blood Moon Eclipse can share them by emailing them to jwood@bedfordcountypost.com or simply sharing them on the Bedford County Post Facebook page.