Rare 'Blood Moon' Total Lunar Eclipse to Light Up Skies Across the Americas

Skywatchers will witness the moon transform into a deep, coppery red during the last total lunar eclipse until late 2028.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A dramatic total lunar eclipse will soon be visible across much of the Western Hemisphere, turning the full moon a deep, coppery red color often referred to as a 'blood moon.' The eclipse will be the last of its kind until late 2028, and will be observable early Tuesday morning from North America, Central America, and parts of South America, while observers in Australia and eastern Asia will see it later that night.

Why it matters

Total lunar eclipses, where the moon is completely enveloped in Earth's shadow, are relatively rare events that captivate skywatchers. This particular eclipse will be the last of its kind for several years, providing a unique opportunity for many to witness the moon's transformation into a deep, red hue.

The details

During a total lunar eclipse, the sun, Earth, and moon align in near-perfect formation, with Earth positioned directly between the sun and a full moon. As Earth blocks the sun's direct light, its shadow sweeps across the lunar surface, causing the moon to take on a reddish-orange color. This coloration results from sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere, with shorter wavelengths scattering while longer red wavelengths bend and pass through.

  • The eclipse will be observable early Tuesday morning (February 27, 2026) from North America, Central America, and the western regions of South America.
  • In Australia and eastern Asia, the eclipse will unfold later that night.
  • Observers in Central Asia and much of South America will see partial phases of the eclipse.
  • Much of Europe and Africa will miss the event entirely due to the timing and position of the moon below the horizon.

The players

Catherine Miller

An astronomer at Middlebury College's Mittelman Observatory.

Bennett Maruca

An astronomer at the University of Delaware.

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What they’re saying

“You don't have to be out there the whole time to see the shadows moving.”

— Bennett Maruca, astronomer (yournews.com)

“Lunar eclipses unfold at a more relaxed pace and are more forgiving for casual viewers.”

— Catherine Miller, astronomer (yournews.com)

What’s next

A partial lunar eclipse is scheduled for August, but it will not feature the full, dramatic red transformation of a total eclipse. For many observers in the Western Hemisphere, Tuesday's display will be the final opportunity for several years to witness the moon bathed in Earth's shadow, glowing in shades of crimson against the night sky.

The takeaway

This rare 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse provides a unique celestial event that will captivate skywatchers across the Americas. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye and unfold at a more relaxed pace, making them an accessible and awe-inspiring phenomenon for casual viewers.