Lunar Eclipses Guide: What Does a Lunar Eclipse Look Like, and How Often Does It Happen?
Don’t miss out! On March 2–3, 2026, the total lunar eclipse, also known as the Blood Moon 2026, will take place. It will be visible in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Asia. Use the Sky Tonight app to see how the eclipse will look from your location. Read on to learn more about lunar eclipses and find out what types of lunar eclipses there are, why they occur, and when the next lunar eclipse happens.
Contents
- What is a lunar eclipse?
- 3 types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, penumbral
- Lunar eclipse vs solar eclipse
- When is the next lunar eclipse?
- How often do lunar eclipses happen?
- How long does a lunar eclipse last?
- How to see a lunar eclipse?
- Lunar eclipse meaning in different cultures
- What is a lunar eclipse: Conclusion
What is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon. This can only happen during the Full Moon phase. If the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are closely aligned, a total lunar eclipse occurs. If their alignment is not exact enough, observers will see a partial or penumbral lunar eclipse — or no eclipse at all.
Watch our short explanatory video to better understand how lunar eclipses work.
3 types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, penumbral
There are three types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Total lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse is the most spectacular of the three types. It happens when the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon are closely aligned in space. The Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun and covers the entire Moon with the inner part of its shadow, called the umbra. Interestingly, our natural satellite doesn’t completely disappear during a total eclipse but turns dark red. Why does it happen?
Although the Earth blocks all direct sunlight, a small portion of the light gets refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the Moon’s surface. Our planet’s atmosphere scatters shorter (blue) wavelengths more efficiently, allowing mostly red light to reach the Moon. That’s why the lunar disk becomes red. Because of the distinctive reddish hue, a total lunar eclipse is often called a Blood Moon.
Partial lunar eclipse
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a part of the Moon gets covered by the Earth’s umbral shadow. This happens when the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon are not perfectly aligned. During this type of eclipse, only a portion of the Moon gets dark and reddish.
Penumbral lunar eclipse
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the penumbra — the outer part of the Earth’s shadow. It’s the least noticeable type of eclipse: for a keen-eyed observer, the Moon will look only slightly darker than usual.
Lunar eclipse vs solar eclipse
Both lunar and solar eclipses involve three celestial bodies: the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon. Here are the main differences between these two astronomical events.
- During a lunar eclipse, which happens at night, the Moon gets covered by the Earth’s shadow.
- During a solar eclipse, which happens in the daytime, the Sun gets covered by the Moon’s disk as seen from the Earth.
- Lunar eclipses occur only at a Full Moon, while solar eclipses happen only at a New Moon.
- A lunar eclipse can be observed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth. This is due to the fact that the Earth’s shadow is huge compared to the Moon.
- Solar eclipses are visible only from specific locations where the Moon’s shadow falls. This is because the Moon’s shadow is much smaller than the Earth’s.
Interesting fact: eclipses always come in pairs. A solar eclipse occurs approximately two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.
If you tend to confuse solar and lunar eclipses, remember this: when the Sun gets dark, we call it a solar eclipse, and when the Moon gets dark, we call it a lunar eclipse. If you’d like to learn more about solar eclipses — how they happen, what types there are, and when the next one occurs — read our detailed guide to solar eclipses.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
The next lunar eclipse will take place on March 2–3, 2026. It will be a total lunar eclipse, a spectacular event during which the Moon will turn a reddish color in the sky. The eclipse will be visible from parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic, and Antarctica. The total lunar eclipse will last 58 minutes 19 seconds, from 11:04 UTC/GMT to 12:03 UTC/GMT.
When is the next total lunar eclipse?
The next total lunar eclipse, also known as the Blood Moon 2026, will occur on March 2–3, 2026. The red Moon will be visible from eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand (on March 4), the Pacific region, North and Central America, and far western South America. The totality phase will begin at 11:04 UTC/GMT and reach its maximum at 11:33 UTC/GMT.
When is the next partial lunar eclipse?
The next partial lunar eclipse will occur on August 27-28, 2026. Observers from a large part of the world, including Europe, Africa, and the Americas, will see most of the Moon darkened and tinted red, while a narrow bright edge remains visible. The partial eclipse will last from 02:34 to 05:52 UTC/GMT, with the maximum phase occurring at 04:12 UTC/GMT.
When is the next penumbral lunar eclipse?
The next penumbral lunar eclipse will occur on February 20-21, 2027. The event will be visible almost worldwide, including Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and most of North America. The Moon will pass only through Earth’s outer shadow, causing a subtle dimming rather than a visible dark edge or red coloration. The eclipse will begin on February 20, at 21:12 UTC/GMT, and end on February 21, at 01:13 UTC/GMT; its maximum will occur at 23:12 GMT.
Next lunar eclipse schedule: 2026-2030
If you’re planning ahead, here’s a look at the next lunar eclipses from 2026 to 2030. The table below shows the date, type, and main visibility regions for each event, so you can mark your calendar and decide which eclipses are worth watching.
| Date | Eclipse type | Magnitude | Where to see |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2-3, 2026 | Total lunar eclipse | 1.15 | Asia, Australia, New Zealand, most of North America |
| August 27-28, 2026 | Partial lunar eclipse | 0.93 | Europe, Africa, North and South America |
| February 20-21, 2027 | Penumbral lunar eclipse | -0.05 | Europe, Asia, Africa, most of North America, South America |
| August 16-17, 2027 | Penumbral lunar eclipse | -1.06 | North and South America, northwestern Africa, most of Australia |
| January 11-12, 2028 | Partial lunar eclipse | -0.52 | North and South America, Africa, Europe, northwestern Asia |
| July 6-7, 2028 | Partial lunar eclipse | -0.38 | Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia |
| December 31, 2028 - January 1, 2029 | Total lunar eclipse | 1.24 | Europe, Asia, Australia, most of Africa |
| June 25-26, 2029 | Total lunar eclipse | 1.84 | South America, parts of North America and Africa |
| December 21-22, 2029 | Total lunar eclipse | 1.11 | Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America |
| June 15-16, 2030 | Partial lunar eclipse | 0.5 | Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa |
| December 9-10, 2030 | Penumbral lunar eclipse | -0.16 | Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America |
What is a lunar eclipse magnitude?
Magnitude shows how deeply the Moon moves into Earth’s dark central shadow (the umbra) at the moment of maximum eclipse.
- If the value is 1 or higher, the eclipse is total — the Moon is completely inside the dark shadow.
- If it is between 0 and 1, the eclipse is partial — only part of the Moon is covered.
- If it is below 0, the Moon does not enter the dark shadow at all — in this case, the eclipse is penumbral (if the Moon passes through the outer shadow) or there is no umbral eclipse.
The higher the magnitude, the more of the Moon is covered and the more dramatic the eclipse looks.
If you're curious about the next lunar and solar eclipses in your area, try the Eclipse Guide app. It provides a schedule of upcoming eclipses, including times and visibility specific to your location. Plus, it offers visualizations of what the Moon or the Sun will look like during an eclipse. You can also check our infographic, where we list five future eclipses with their timelines and visibility maps.
How often do lunar eclipses happen?
As we’ve already mentioned, a lunar eclipse always happens at a Full Moon. However, not every Full Moon comes with a lunar eclipse. Here’s why: the Moon’s orbit is tilted at about five degrees to the Earth’s orbit, so our natural satellite usually passes above or below the Earth’s shadow at a Full Moon. On average, two lunar eclipses occur every year. The maximum number of lunar eclipses in a year is five, though it happens quite rarely. The last time five lunar eclipses occurred in one calendar year was in 1879; the next time such an event will happen is in 2132.
How often do total lunar eclipses occur?
On average, a total lunar eclipse occurs every 2-3 years in any given location. Total lunar eclipses account for about 35% of all lunar eclipses.
How often do partial lunar eclipses occur?
According to NASA, at least two partial lunar eclipses occur every year. To get this number, NASA must have counted in partial phases of total lunar eclipses. If we consider partial lunar eclipses separately, they usually occur once a year or once every two years. About 30% of all lunar eclipses are partial.
How long does a lunar eclipse last?
Unlike solar eclipses, which last only a few minutes, lunar eclipses can last hours. That’s because the Earth’s shadow is quite large in relation to the Moon’s size. A total lunar eclipse can continue for up to two hours, and partial lunar eclipses can last even longer.
Longest lunar eclipse
The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century occurred on July 27, 2018. The totality phase lasted 102 minutes and 57 seconds. The next total lunar eclipse of a comparable length will occur only in 3107 and will last 106 minutes and 13 seconds.
Longest partial lunar eclipse
The longest partial lunar eclipse in nearly 600 years occurred on November 19, 2021. It lasted for 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 23 seconds. Before it, a partial eclipse of a similar length happened on February 18, 1440 (3 hours, 28 minutes, and 46 seconds). The partial lunar eclipse of November 2021 will remain the longest for another 648 years until the eclipse on February 8, 2669 (3 hours, 30 minutes, and 2 seconds).
How to see a lunar eclipse?
You don’t need any special equipment to observe a lunar eclipse — though you can use binoculars to see more details on the red-shaded lunar surface. All you need to enjoy this astronomical event is a clear sky and an unobstructed horizon. To learn when the eclipse begins in your location, use the Sky Tonight app.
Lunar eclipses: Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see the lunar eclipse?
Lunar eclipses are visible from any place in the world where the Moon is above the horizon. In other words, you just need to be on the night side of the Earth at the time of the eclipse to see it. Check our infographic to learn where to see upcoming eclipses.
Why isn't there a lunar eclipse every month?
Lunar eclipses don’t occur every month on a Full Moon because the orbits of the Moon and the Earth are not in the same plane. Most of the time, the Moon passes above or below the Earth’s shadow during a Full Moon. Watch our video to get a better understanding of why lunar eclipses don’t happen every month.
What does the Moon look like during a lunar eclipse?
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon appears reddish and is commonly called a Blood Moon. During a partial lunar eclipse, part of the Moon looks darker. And during a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon appears slightly darker — only keen observers might notice that. To catch a glimpse of how the Moon will appear during the next lunar eclipse, check out the Eclipse Guide app. It offers animated visuals showing exactly how the eclipsed Moon will look from your specific location.
What does a red Moon mean?
“Red Moon” and “Blood Moon” are simply alternative names for a total lunar eclipse. The eclipsed Moon looks red because sunlight gets refracted and scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere, with only red-colored light reaching the lunar surface.
Is it safe to look at a lunar eclipse?
Unlike watching a solar eclipse (for which you need special solar filters), observing a lunar eclipse is absolutely safe for your eyes. That’s because the Moon doesn’t emit its own light but only reflects sunlight.
How to prove the Earth is round using a lunar eclipse?
At every lunar eclipse, the Earth’s shadow on the Moon is always circular and doesn’t change its shape with the planet’s rotation. The only shape that always makes a perfectly circular shadow is a sphere. Read our article to learn more ways to prove the Earth is round.
How does a lunar eclipse affect humans?
You might hear that lunar eclipses can increase the risk of skin disease, badly affect pregnant women, or be harmful to digestion. However, there is no scientific evidence that lunar eclipses have any physical effect on people.
Lunar eclipse meaning in different cultures
For thousands of years, lunar eclipses amazed and frightened people. Because they were rare and dramatic, many cultures saw them as powerful signs from the sky — often warnings of war, disaster, or the death of a ruler.
Many myths tried to explain why the Moon suddenly turned dark or red. In ancient China, people believed a dragon was swallowing the Moon and would make loud noises to scare it away. The Inca thought a jaguar was attacking it. In India, eclipses were linked to a demon named Rahu, who was said to swallow the Moon. The Hupa, a Native American tribe from northern California, thought that the Moon had wild animals like mountain lions and snakes as pets. When the Moon didn’t feed them enough, they attacked it and made it bleed — which explained the red color during an eclipse. His wives would then rescue and heal him, ending the eclipse.
Beliefs about eclipses could even be used to influence people. In 1504, Christopher Columbus and his crew were stranded in Jamaica and depended on local Indigenous people for food. When the locals stopped helping them, Columbus consulted astronomical tables and saw that a total lunar eclipse was about to occur. He warned that his God would darken the Moon as punishment. When the eclipse began, and the Moon turned red, the frightened islanders agreed to provide food again. Columbus then claimed he had persuaded his God to restore the Moon — and the eclipse soon ended naturally.
But not everyone believed in monsters and omens. Some ancient Greek thinkers searched for logical explanations. In the 5th century BCE, Anaxagoras suggested that a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon. Later, Aristotle noticed that the Earth’s shadow on the Moon is always curved and used this as evidence that our planet is round.
Today, lunar eclipses are understood as natural and predictable events caused by the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. What once seemed like a warning from the gods is now a beautiful astronomical event that people around the world enjoy watching.
What is a lunar eclipse: Conclusion
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon. There are three main types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral. The type of eclipse depends on how much of the Moon is covered by the shadow of the Earth. On average, two lunar eclipses occur each year and are visible from everywhere in the night part of the world. To find out when the next eclipse is visible in your location, use our Sky Tonight app.
Sources:
Don’t miss the total lunar eclipse in March 2026
The next total lunar eclipse will take place on March 2–3, 2026. During totality, the Moon will turn a deep reddish color — a phenomenon often called a Blood Moon that will be visible from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. Learn more about this event in our detailed article about the Blood Moon 2026.
Test your knowledge of lunar eclipse types and facts
You’ve just learned what a lunar eclipse is, how it happens, how often it occurs, and what types of lunar eclipses exist. Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Take our challenging quiz about eclipses and see how well you understand lunar eclipse types, frequency, duration, and the differences between lunar and solar eclipses. It’s a fun way to review the key facts — and maybe discover something new.
