Two lunar eclipses fall in 2026 — a total blood moon in March and a deep partial in August. Dates, exact UTC times, visibility maps and how to watch them, all in one page.
| Date (UTC) | Type | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 3, 2026 | Total Lunar | Americas · E Asia · Australia · Pacific · totality 58 min |
| Aug 28, 2026 | Partial Lunar | Americas · Europe · Africa · W Asia · ~93% partial |
2026 is a quiet year for lunar eclipses — only two events, and none penumbral. The next penumbral lunar eclipse is February 20, 2027.
The first lunar eclipse of 2026 is a total lunar eclipse, popularly called a blood moon. The Moon passes fully through Earth's deep shadow (umbra) and glows deep coppery red for 58 minutes of totality.
| Phase | Time UTC | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Penumbra begins | 09:51 | Subtle dimming |
| Partial begins | 10:08 | A dark bite on the Moon |
| Totality begins | 11:04 | Moon fully red |
| Greatest eclipse | 11:33 | Deepest, reddest moment |
| Totality ends | 12:02 | Red fades, bright limb returns |
| Partial ends | 12:58 | Last shadow leaves the disc |
| Penumbra ends | 15:18 | Eclipse fully over |
Visibility: the Americas (especially the western US and the Pacific coast, pre-dawn), the Pacific Ocean, eastern Asia (Japan, Korea, eastern China), Australia and New Zealand (evening). Europe and Africa miss this one. Greatest eclipse (11:33 UTC) translates to: US Pacific 03:33 PST · US Eastern 06:33 EST · Tokyo 20:33 JST · Sydney 22:33 AEDT.
Blood Moon 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse March 3." data-es="Guía completa con consejos de fotografía y tablas por zona horaria: Luna de sangre 2026 — Eclipse lunar total del 3 de marzo.">Full guide with photography tips and timezone tables: Blood Moon 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse March 3.
The second lunar eclipse of 2026 is a deep partial: about 93% of the Moon's diameter enters Earth's umbra at maximum (05:47 UTC). Most of the disc looks dark red while a thin bright crescent remains uneclipsed — a striking visual, just short of a true blood moon.
| Phase | Time UTC | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Penumbra begins | 04:13 | Subtle dimming starts |
| Partial begins | 04:34 | Dark bite enters lunar disc |
| Maximum eclipse | 05:47 | 93% of the Moon in umbra · deepest moment |
| Partial ends | 07:00 | Last umbral shadow leaves |
| Penumbra ends | 07:22 | Eclipse fully over |
Visibility: most of the Americas (best in eastern North and South America at moonset), all of Europe and Africa (pre-dawn / dawn), and western Asia. Maximum (05:47 UTC) translates to: New York 01:47 EDT · London 06:47 BST · Madrid 07:47 CEST · Cairo 08:47 EEST.
There is no penumbral lunar eclipse in 2026. A penumbral eclipse happens when the Moon passes only through Earth's faint outer shadow (penumbra) — a subtle event most observers do not notice. The previous penumbral was March 25, 2024, and the next one falls on February 20, 2027 (Americas, Europe, Africa).
A lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye — no glasses, no filters, no risk. Unlike a solar eclipse, you can stare at it for hours. Three things to check before any lunar eclipse:
1. Is the Moon above your horizon? Convert the UTC times above to your local time. If the Moon is below the horizon during totality, you miss the event — no workaround. 2. Find a clear east-to-west view of the sky. The Moon moves about 15° per hour; pick a spot without trees or buildings in the way. 3. Let your eyes dark-adapt. Step away from screens and white lights for 15 minutes before totality. The red colour deepens dramatically once your pupils open up.
Binoculars dramatically improve the experience. A telephoto lens or telescope adapter on a phone with night mode gives surprisingly good photos. No special equipment is required.