Why will the moon appear “blood red” on March 3?

The first lunar eclipse of 2026 will take place on March 3, and on this occasion the sky will be illuminated with red light. A post on X went viral claiming that ‘the moon will turn red like blood on March 3rd.’ According to experts, this claim is partially true, and the American space agency NASA has confirmed it. This will be the first major astronomical event of the year that can be seen with the naked eye without any special protective equipment. A total lunar eclipse, also commonly called a ‘blood moon’, occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. Due to this arrangement, the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon and direct sunlight does not reach the Moon. However, light passing through the Earth’s atmosphere reaches the Moon, which makes it appear red or orange.