Total Lunar Eclipse to Turn Moon Blood Red on Tuesday

The spectacle will be visible across North America, Central America, and parts of South America.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A total lunar eclipse will occur on Tuesday, February 27, 2026, where the moon will appear blood-red in color. The eclipse will be visible across North America, Central America, and the western parts of South America, as well as Australia and eastern Asia. Partial stages of the eclipse can also be seen from Central Asia and much of South America.

Why it matters

Lunar eclipses are relatively rare, with the next total lunar eclipse not occurring until late 2028. These celestial events provide a unique opportunity for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts to witness the moon's transformation into a reddish-orange hue.

The details

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth is positioned between the sun and the full moon, casting a shadow that covers the moon. The moon appears red due to stray bits of sunlight filtering through the Earth's atmosphere. The eclipse will unfold over several hours, with the total eclipse lasting about an hour.

  • The total lunar eclipse will occur on Tuesday, February 27, 2026.
  • The eclipse will be visible in the early morning hours for North America, Central America, and the western parts of South America.
  • The eclipse will be visible in the evening hours for Australia and eastern Asia.

The players

Catherine Miller

An astronomer at Middlebury College's Mittelman Observatory.

Bennett Maruca

An astronomer with the University of Delaware.

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What they’re saying

“Compared to a solar eclipse, the lunar eclipse is a little more of a relaxed pace.”

— Catherine Miller, astronomer (wbal.com)

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

— Bennett Maruca, astronomer (wbal.com)

What’s next

There will be a partial lunar eclipse on August 7, 2026, which will be visible across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and West Asia.

The takeaway

This total lunar eclipse is a rare celestial event that will captivate stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts across several continents. It provides an opportunity to witness the moon's transformation into a striking reddish-orange hue, a phenomenon caused by the Earth's shadow and the refraction of sunlight through the atmosphere.