When Is the Next Blood Moon? Exact Time, Viewing Guide and What to Expect from 2026's Total Lunar Eclipse

This 2026 will have a long-lasting total eclipse and it will be visible to billions of people along its viewing path, although the exact appearance will vary by location. As the year's first major astronomical event, the 'blood moon' is especially valued by stargazers as it briefly glows with a rich reddish hue.

What Does the Blood Moon Mean and Its Types?

According to NASA lunar eclipse occurs during a full Moon, when Earth positions itself directly between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment casts our planet's shadow across the lunar surface, causing it to darken and, in many cases, take on a striking reddish hue for several hours. Each eclipse is visible from roughly half of the world, offering a rare celestial spectacle for observers.

During a lunar eclipse, the Moon moves into the Earth's central shadow, known as the umbra. Although most sunlight is blocked, some light still reaches the Moon after passing through Earth's atmosphere. Shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter away, leaving the longer red and orange wavelengths to bathe the lunar surface in colour. The Moon often appears reddish or orange, and its hue deepens when the atmosphere contains more dust or clouds.

When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are not perfectly aligned, the Moon passes through only part of Earth's umbra and is called a partial eclipse. The shadow slowly grows and recedes without fully covering the Moon. In these cases, the Moon traverses the penumbra—the faint outer edge of Earth's shadow—causing only a subtle dimming that can be easy to miss without careful observation.

How to Watch the 2026 Blood Moon

Following NASA's data for viewing a lunar eclipse requires no special equipment; a clear line of sight to the Moon is sufficient. For a more dramatic experience, seek out a dark location away from city lights. Binoculars or a telescope can enhance the spectacle, revealing more of the lunar surface's detail and colour.

The next total lunar eclipse, known as the blood moon, will occur on 3 March 2026. It will be visible in the evening across eastern Asia and Australia, throughout the night over the Pacific, and in the early morning for North and Central America as well as far western South America. Observers in central Asia and much of South America will see a partial eclipse, while the event will not be visible from Africa or Europe.

Exploring the Legends Behind the 'Blood Moon'

During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon transforms into a deep red or orange orb. This colour shift happens because Earth blocks most of the Sun's light from reaching the Moon, and the light that does pass through is refracted and filtered through the planet's atmosphere. In effect, it is as if every sunrise and sunset across the globe is being projected onto the lunar surface.

The term 'blood moon' has long captured imaginations, inspiring myths, legends, and awe among stargazers. While its dramatic hue can seem ominous, it is simply the result of natural optical phenomena, offering a rare and breathtaking display that connects observers worldwide with the mechanics of our solar system. Expect an unforgettable night in 2026.