The first lunar eclipse of 2026 will transform the moon into a coppery red “blood moon” in the early hours of for skywatchers in North America. The eclipse will be visible to billions, but the exact appearance will vary depending on location.
This long-lasting and impressive event will be the last total lunar eclipse until the – New Year’s “Blood Moon” eclipse.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth positions itself between the sun and the moon. As the moon moves into Earth’s shadow, the only light reaching its surface is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in a reddish hue – hence the “blood moon” moniker. This effect isn’t due to any change in the moon itself, but rather a consequence of how Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight.
Best places to see the lunar eclipse
While the blood moon total lunar eclipse will be visible across the night side of Earth on , the best views will be from the western half of North America, Australia, and the Pacific region. Clear, dark skies are essential for optimal viewing.
Totality – the period when the moon is fully immersed in Earth’s shadow – will last 58 minutes, from () to ().
Here’s a breakdown of local times in North America:
- Eastern time: (the moon will set during totality in the Eastern time zone)
- Central time:
- Mountain time:
- Pacific time:
- Alaska time:
- Hawaii time:
To determine visibility from your specific location, visit Time and Date, where you can enter your city to find local visibility details and precise timings. For example, observers in New York will see the moon enter totality and turn red, but maximum eclipse will occur after moonset and won’t be visible.
What to expect
Lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses. As the eclipse progresses, you’ll observe a gradual shift from a bright silver moon to a deep red as Earth’s shadow covers it. It’s a relatively slow process, allowing observers to witness all phases of the moon seemingly unfold at an accelerated pace.
The eclipse will be visible from regions including Asia, Australia, North America, South America, the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Arctic and Antarctica. Specific cities where at least part of the total eclipse will be visible include Lima, Peru; New York, USA; Montréal, Canada; Manila, Philippines; Hanoi, Vietnam; Melbourne, Australia; and many others.
