Next Lunar Eclipse
The next eclipse is a penumbral lunar eclipse on Saturday, 20 February 2027 (in 136 days). Greatest eclipse is at 23:13 UTC. Region of visibility: The Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Lunar eclipses to 2030
| Date | Type | Maximum | Region of visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 February 2027 | Penumbral lunar eclipse | 23:13 UTC | The Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. |
| 18 July 2027 | Penumbral lunar eclipse (very slight) | 16:03 UTC | East Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. |
| 17 August 2027 | Penumbral lunar eclipse | 07:14 UTC | The Pacific and the Americas. |
| 12 January 2028 | Partial lunar eclipse | 04:13 UTC | The Americas, Europe and Africa. |
| 6 July 2028 | Partial lunar eclipse | 18:20 UTC | Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. |
| 31 December 2028 | Total lunar eclipse | 16:52 UTC | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. |
| 26 June 2029 | Total lunar eclipse | 03:22 UTC | The Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. |
| 20 December 2029 | Total lunar eclipse | 22:42 UTC | The Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. |
| 15 June 2030 | Partial lunar eclipse | 18:33 UTC | Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. |
| 9 December 2030 | Penumbral lunar eclipse | 22:28 UTC | The Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. |
Source: NASA Eclipse Web Site. The time of greatest eclipse is the same everywhere on Earth; only the local clock time and the Moon's position in the sky differ.
Where can a lunar eclipse be seen?
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse happens at the same instant for everyone and can be seen from anywhere the Moon is above the horizon and the sky is clear. The table lists each eclipse to 2030 from the NASA catalogue, with the time of greatest eclipse in UTC; convert it to your local time to know when to look.
Types of lunar eclipse
In a total lunar eclipse the whole Moon passes into the Earth's dark inner shadow (umbra) and turns a coppery red, often called a blood moon. In a partial lunar eclipse only part of the disc darkens. A penumbral lunar eclipse is a subtle dimming that many people do not notice.
How to watch
A lunar eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye. Binoculars or a small telescope make the colour change clearer. Cloud is the main obstacle, so check the chance of rain for your location on the night.