Blood Red Moon on Tuesday: A Total Lunar Eclipse to Light Up the Night Sky

A blood-red moon will grace the skies Tuesday in a total lunar eclipse—and if you miss it, you’ll wait until late 2028 for another.

The spectacle will be visible Tuesday morning from North America, Central America, and the western part of South America. Australia and eastern Asia can catch it Tuesday night. Partial stages of the eclipse, with small bites taken out of the moon, can be seen from Central Asia and much of South America. Africa and Europe will be shut out entirely.

How It Works

Solar and lunar eclipses happen due to a precise alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth. There are between four and seven a year, according to NASA. Eclipses tend to follow each other, taking advantage of the sweet spot in the celestial bodies’ orbits. Tuesday’s total eclipse comes two weeks after a “ring of fire” solar eclipse that dazzled observers—including penguins—in Antarctica.

During a total lunar eclipse, Earth positions itself between the sun and the full moon, casting a shadow that covers the moon. The so-called blood moon looks red because of stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere. The show unfolds over several hours, with totality lasting about an hour.

How to Watch

Compared to a solar eclipse, “the lunar eclipse is a little more of a relaxed pace,” said Catherine Miller at Middlebury College’s Mittelman Observatory. For those in the path, there’s no need for any special equipment—just a clear, cloudless view of the sky.

Use a forecasting app or online celestial calendar to look up exact timing for your area. Venture outside a few times to watch Earth’s shadow darken the moon, eventually revealing the reddish-orange orb.

“You don’t have to be out there the whole time to see the shadows moving,” said astronomer Bennett Maruca with the University of Delaware.

What’s Next

There’s a partial lunar eclipse on the schedule for August, visible across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and west Asia. But for a total lunar eclipse, Tuesday is your chance. After that, the wait begins.

So find a clear view. Step outside. Look up. The moon will be waiting, slowly turning red.

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