Next Blood Moon Over Michigan Set for March 3 2026

The next blood moon will be visible over Michigan in the early morning hours of March 3, 2026, when a total lunar eclipse turns the Moon red just before sunrise. For any given location, events like this typically occur about once every two to three years. The eclipse will be visible across the state, including Flint, with the Moon sitting low in the western sky as dawn approaches.

A blood moon is the common name for a total lunar eclipse. It occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking direct sunlight. Instead of going dark, the Moon takes on a red or copper color because sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere and filters onto the Moon, the same process that makes sunsets appear red.

Viewing a blood moon does not require any special equipment and it is safe to watch with the naked eye. The best viewing spots are areas with a clear western horizon, such as open fields, parks, or elevated locations, since the Moon will be lower in the sky as the eclipse reaches totality. Binoculars or a small telescope can make the color and surface details more noticeable, but they are not necessary.

Historically, blood moons unsettled people. Ancient Mesopotamians believed a blood moon signaled danger to their king and sometimes appointed a temporary substitute ruler during the eclipse. In parts of South America, the Moon was thought to be attacked by a jaguar, prompting people to shout or make noise to scare it away. Other cultures believed wolves or dragons were swallowing the Moon, turning a predictable astronomical event into something ominous and supernatural.

Will you be up early enough to see the Moon turn red over Michigan when the next blood moon arrives in 2026?