See the total lunar eclipse in Shanghai on March 3 (Lantern Festival). Viewing is 19:04-20:03. A rare 'red moon' event that won't align with the festival again until 2072. Ideal evening timing for families.
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Shanghai Can Watch the Full March 3 Lunar Eclipse During Lantern Festival—Miss It and You'll Wait Another 46 Years
Watching the moon on the night of the Lantern Festival is a tradition that has lasted for generations. But this year, the familiar full moon will briefly "disappear" from view—because the only total lunar eclipse of the year is set to arrive right on the festival, turning the moon into a striking coppery-red "red moon" above the lights of the city.
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According to forecast, the eclipse will begin on the evening of March 3. As the event unfolds, the moon's unusual color is expected to pair visually with red lanterns in the streets and white tangyuan in bowls at home, creating a rare moment where a celestial event and a folk celebration overlap.
A Lantern Festival coincidence that won't come again for decades
Shi Wei, an associate research curator at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, described the alignment as a natural coincidence between astronomical calendars and the motion of celestial bodies—one that is difficult to encounter. He noted that the last time the Lantern Festival coincided with a total lunar eclipse was March 4, 2007, and the next such match will not happen until March 4, 2072.
Shi explained that a total lunar eclipse occurs only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up precisely, allowing Earth to block the sunlight that would otherwise shine directly on the Moon. In this event, the Moon passes into Earth's shadow, and the eclipse progresses through seven stages: penumbral eclipse begins, partial eclipse begins, total eclipse begins, greatest eclipse, total eclipse ends, partial eclipse ends, and penumbral eclipse ends.
For many observers, the highlight is the totality phase, when the Moon is completely inside Earth's umbra. This phase is forecast to run from 19:04 to 20:03, lasting about 58 minutes.
"Time-friendly" viewing—and why Shanghai stands out
One of the biggest advantages around this eclipse is that the key viewing window falls in what many consider an ideal evening period, rather than deep into the night. Shi compared it with the 2007 Lantern Festival eclipse, which happened after midnight, making viewing conditions far less convenient.
Online reactions echoed that sentiment. Some commenters said it finally feels like a lunar eclipse people can enjoy without staying up late, while others recalled waiting late into the night in past years and still not seeing the "red moon" they hoped for.
This year, much of China is expected to witness a phenomenon known as "moonrise with eclipse"—meaning the Moon will already be partially eclipsed when it rises. The reason is that partial eclipse begins at 17:49, and by the time the Moon appears above the eastern horizon, it will already be "missing a bite," with Earth's shadow covering part of it.
Shi noted that most areas in China will not be able to see the entire event, and the farther west you are, the less of the eclipse you can watch. Shi added that—with the exception of Fuyuan County in Heilongjiang's far northeast—most places in the country won't catch the full sequence. Shanghai, by contrast, has an advantage because the Moon rises earlier there, meaning the city can basically watch the eclipse from start to finish.
With a rare timing on the Lantern Festival, a long gap until the next repeat in 2072, and a viewing window that fits the evening, the message being shared is simple: look up! Don't watch it alone: send the reminder to your family and friends, and look up together.
Source: 新闻坊
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