Are You Ready for the Upcoming Lunar Eclipse?

Mark your calendars and set those alarms, because this is one early wake-up that actually pays off. A total lunar eclipse is coming, and it’s 2026’s only blood moon. It will be lighting up the sky in the wee morning hours of March 3rd. Events like this don’t come around often, but when they do, they have a way of convincing people to brave the cold, step outside half-awake, and stare at the sky in awe. For students, it’s a rare moment when science feels less like a lesson and more like an adventure.

So You’re Not Left in the Dark…

The next total lunar eclipse will take place on March 3rd, 2026, and it will be visible across much of North and South America, as well as parts of the Pacific region, Australia, and eastern Asia. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view without special equipment. All you need to do is step outside and look up.

During a lunar eclipse, Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon. Instead of blocking all sunlight, Earth’s atmosphere bends and filters it. Blue light scatters away, while red and orange light continue on to the Moon, giving it that famous “blood moon” glow. The Moon will remain in totality for nearly an hour, providing viewers plenty of time to observe the changes.

Orbiting Back Around to Education

Lunar eclipses offer a powerful real-world learning opportunity. They naturally connect science concepts like gravity, light, and planetary motion to something students can actually see. When students observe an eclipse, abstract ideas suddenly feel concrete, and curiosity takes over.

Beyond science, lunar eclipses also support cross-curricular learning. Students can practice math by calculating eclipse durations, strengthen literacy skills through observation journals, and explore history by examining how different cultures once explained these events. Most importantly, eclipses remind students that learning does not stop at the classroom door. Sometimes, the best lessons happen when we simply take the time to look up.

Shining Light on the Eclipse in Your Classroom

• • Model the Eclipse with Simple Materials: Dim the lights and find a flashlight (or desk lamp), a large ball, and a smaller ball to demonstrate how the Sun, Earth, and Moon align. This hands-on activity helps students visualize umbra, penumbra, and shadow movement.
    
    
  • Illustrate a Lunar Eclipse: Incorporate art into your science instruction by having students illustrate a lunar eclipse with art supplies such as colored pencils, crayons, or even watercolors. Younger students can sketch each phase of the eclipse, while older students can label their illustrations and add brief explanations describing what is happening during each stage. This activity blends creativity with science while helping students translate a dramatic sky event into a clear visual understanding.
    
    
  • Explore Why the Moon Turns Red: Guide students through discussions about Earth’s atmosphere, light scattering, and why lunar eclipses share similar colors with sunsets.
    
    
  • Add Real-World Math Connections: Ask students to calculate how long each phase lasts, graph brightness changes, or compare eclipse visibility across time zones. Teachers Pay Teachers has lunar math lesson ideas for all ages.
    
    
  • Incorporate Myths and Storytelling: Invite students to research cultural eclipse stories or write their own explanations, then compare them with modern scientific understanding.
    

Extend the Excitement with a Mobile Ed Program

A lunar event is often just the beginning. Once students start asking questions about the Moon, the stars, and what else is happening above them, Mobile Ed’s SkyDome Planetarium is a near-perfect way to keep that curiosity growing. This mobile planetarium immerses students in a 360-degree view of the night sky and helps them explore the bigger picture of astronomy in an unforgettable, engaging way.

With the SkyDome, students can:

• • • Experience the wonder of the night sky in a fully immersive environment

    • Explore the Moon, planets, and stars up close, just mere feet above their heads

    • Strengthen understanding of how celestial objects move and interact

    • Ask questions and engage with knowledgeable, engaging, live presenters

Our SkyDome Planetarium helps turn eclipse excitement into lasting curiosity about space. Click the button below to learn more about our educational programs and find out how The SkyDome can visit your school.