Next total lunar eclipse (blood moon) dates
A total lunar eclipse produces the commonly called blood moon, and the upcoming visible events are:
| Date (UTC) and visibility | Eclipse type | Visibility by hemisphere | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7–8, 2025: Total (17:55–21:55 UTC) — Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia | Total | Americas, Europe, Africa, parts of Asia | Americas see eclipse begin before moonrise; Europe and Africa see全过程; Asia sees late stages |
| March 25–26, 2026: Total (16:43–20:12 UTC) — Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia | Total | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia | Americas miss this event |
The next total lunar eclipse visible from much of the Americas and Europe is on September 7–8, 2025.
What is a blood moon?
A blood moon is the reddish appearance of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse. Earth blocks direct sunlight, but some light passes through Earth’s atmosphere, refracts toward the Moon, and gives it a coppery to rust hue. The name is not astronomical; it originates from cultural references and modern eclipse naming rather than an official sky term.
The science behind the red
Earth’s atmosphere filters sunlight: blue scatters more, red bends around the planet and reaches the eclipsed Moon. Volcanic eruptions or large dust loads can deepen or shift the color, making the Moon appear vivid orange or darker brown. Unlike solar eclipses, no eye protection is needed to watch a blood moon.
How often do blood moons occur?
Lunar eclipses come in four types: penumbral, partial, and total. A total lunar eclipse (blood moon) happens at least two and up to five times per decade. What changes is whether a given location can see it; the Moon must be above the horizon during the eclipse for that region to observe the event.
- Penumbral: Earth’s faint outer shadow; often subtle and harder to notice.
- Partial: Only part of the Moon enters Earth’s dark umbra.
- Total: The entire Moon passes through the umbra, producing the blood moon phase.
Visibility and viewing conditions by region
Whether a blood moon is visible from your location depends on the eclipse timing and local moonrise and moonset. Use your local moon calendar and eclipse timing table to determine whether you’ll see any portion of the event.
| Region | September 2025 eclipse visibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Americas | Partial at moonrise in the west; total for central and eastern areas after moonrise | West coast sees eclipse rise with partial stages; east coast sees mostly total |
| Europe and Africa | Total eclipse visible in full or in late evening | Mid-eclipse occurs at dusk or after midnight depending on longitude |
| Asia and Australia | Late partial and total stages in early morning or evening | Australia sees the eclipse in the early morning hours |
Viewing tips
- No telescope or binoculars required; unaided eye viewing is safe.
- Use a tripod or steady surface and a telephoto lens if you want a close-up.
- Check local weather and moonrise times; even a partly cloudy sky can still reveal the red Moon.
- Give your eyes 15–30 minutes to adapt to the dark to see subtle color changes.
Blood moon vs. supermoon and other terms
Supermoon refers to a full Moon near perigee (closest approach to Earth), making it appear slightly larger and brighter. An eclipse can coincide with a supermoon, creating a so-called super blood moon, which is rarer. Micromoon applies when a full Moon occurs near apogee (farthest point). Blue Moon is the second full Moon in a calendar month, not an eclipse-related term.
- Supermoon: closer than average full Moon.
- Blue Moon: second full Moon in one month.
- Micromoon: smaller, farther full Moon.
- Super blood moon: total eclipse + supermoon at once.
Eclipse timing, calendars, and planning
Total lunar eclipses are predictable centuries in advance. The dates for the next total lunar eclipses (blood moons) that have widely visible paths are listed below. Local visibility will depend on moonrise, moonset, and weather on the night.
| Date | Penumbral start | Partial start | Totality start | Totality end | Partial end | Penumbral end | Best visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 7–8, 2025 | 15:26 UTC | 16:10 UTC | 17:55 UTC | 19:41 UTC | 21:27 UTC | 22:11 UTC | Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia |
| March 25–26, 2026 | 14:03 UTC | 15:18 UTC | 16:43 UTC | 18:39 UTC | 20:12 UTC | 21:27 UTC | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
Times are in UTC; convert to your local time zone for rise and set alignment. Sky conditions, horizon obstructions, and weather can affect viewing.
Photography and equipment basics
You do not need specialized gear to capture a blood moon, but a few simple steps improve results. Use a telephoto lens or zoom to show the Moon larger in the frame; a smartphone adapter can work well. Keep ISO moderate, bracket exposures, and expect the Moon to appear much darker than a full sunlit Moon. A tripod reduces blur from hand shake, and a red-light torch preserves night vision. For creative compositions, include landmarks or foreground elements, and plan for the eclipse timing and moon altitude.
Cultural context and naming history
The term blood moon entered modern eclipse discussion through popular books and media; historically, cultures around the world described the red Moon with their own names and stories. Indigenous, folklore, and religious traditions often tied lunar eclipses to powerful omens or turning points, but these are cultural narratives rather than scientific predictions. Today, the term is used broadly for any total lunar eclipse that takes on a reddish color.
How this differs from a solar eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow and is safe to watch without filters. A solar eclipse involves the Moon blocking the Sun and requires certified solar viewers for direct observation. Lunar eclipses last hours and are visible from anywhere on the night side of Earth where the Moon is above the horizon, whereas solar eclipses are brief and path-specific. Blood moons only happen during a lunar eclipse; they never occur during a solar eclipse.
Next steps for eclipse watchers
To prepare for the next blood moon, check your local moon calendar, confirm moonrise and moonset times for your location, and monitor weather forecasts close to the event. Practice framing the Moon with test shots, set your camera to a high enough resolution, and consider using a red light to read notes without losing night vision. Share observations through time-lapse or stacking techniques if you want a detailed record of the color changes.