Upcoming total lunar eclipse to create real-world Blood Moon from Zelda series

A total lunar eclipse set to occur on March 3, 2026 will turn the Moon a deep red, creating a real-world “Blood Moon” that has drawn comparisons to the recurring event seen in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

NASA has confirmed that the eclipse will be visible across large parts of the Americas, East Asia, Australia and the Pacific.

Due to the wide geographic range, the event is expected to be one of the most broadly visible lunar eclipses in recent years, with billions of people located within viewing regions.

During the eclipse, the Moon will pass fully into Earth’s shadow for just under an hour. This extended period of totality will allow observers to see the colour change clearly without the need for telescopes or protective eyewear.

The reddish hue occurs when Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the Moon, while light passing through Earth’s atmosphere bends and scatters. Shorter blue wavelengths are filtered out, leaving behind red and copper tones that illuminate the lunar surface.

The phenomenon has attracted attention from fans of Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where Blood Moons appear periodically throughout the game.

In the title, the crimson Moon signals the return of Calamity Ganon’s forces, causing defeated enemies across Hyrule to reappear. While the in-game event carries gameplay consequences, the real-world eclipse will have no such effects beyond visual spectacle.

For skywatchers and fans of the Zelda series alike, the March 3, 2026 eclipse offers an opportunity to see a natural event that closely resembles its fictional counterpart.

Weather permitting, observers in eligible regions will be able to view the Blood Moon by looking to the night sky during the eclipse’s peak.