Next lunar eclipse: Friday, 28 August 2026
The next lunar eclipse is a partial lunar eclipse with greatest eclipse at 04:12 UTC, in 86 days.9of the world’s largest cities have the moon above the horizon at peak.
- Type:
- Partial lunar eclipse
- Date:
- Friday, 28 August 2026
- Peak:
- 04:12 UTC
- Obscuration:
- 97%
- Partial phase:
- 199 min
Visibility in major cities
A lunar eclipse is visible from anywhere the moon is above the horizon at peak. Times shown are local; altitude is the moon’s height above the horizon in degrees (0 = on the horizon, 90 = overhead).
| City | Visible | Moon altitude | Local peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| LimaPeru | Yes | 76° | 23:12 |
| BogotáColombia | Yes | 72° | 23:12 |
| São PauloBrazil | Yes | 68° | 01:12 |
| Mexico CityMexico | Yes | 44° | 22:12 |
| New York CityUnited States | Yes | 38° | 00:12 |
| LagosNigeria | Yes | 21° | 05:12 |
| KinshasaCongo - Kinshasa | Yes | 11° | 05:12 |
| LondonUnited Kingdom | Yes | 8° | 05:12 |
| JohannesburgSouth Africa | Yes | 2° | 06:12 |
| IstanbulTürkiye | No | — | 07:12 |
| CairoEgypt | No | — | 07:12 |
| MoscowRussia | No | — | 07:12 |
| KarachiPakistan | No | — | 09:12 |
| LahorePakistan | No | — | 09:12 |
| MumbaiIndia | No | — | 09:42 |
| DelhiIndia | No | — | 09:42 |
| BengaluruIndia | No | — | 09:42 |
| TokyoJapan | No | — | 13:12 |
| BeijingChina | No | — | 12:12 |
| TianjinChina | No | — | 12:12 |
| SeoulSouth Korea | No | — | 13:12 |
| DhakaBangladesh | No | — | 10:12 |
| Xi’anChina | No | — | 12:12 |
| ChengduChina | No | — | 12:12 |
Upcoming lunar eclipses
- Friday, 28 August 2026Partial lunar eclipse · 04:12 UTC
- Saturday, 20 February 2027Penumbral lunar eclipse · 23:12 UTC
- Sunday, 18 July 2027Penumbral lunar eclipse · 16:02 UTC
- Tuesday, 17 August 2027Penumbral lunar eclipse · 07:13 UTC
- Wednesday, 12 January 2028Partial lunar eclipse · 04:13 UTC
- Thursday, 6 July 2028Partial lunar eclipse · 18:19 UTC
What to expect
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon and the moon enters the Earth’s shadow. Unlike a solar eclipse, half the planet sees a lunar eclipse — anyone on the night side at peak who has clear weather can watch it with the naked eye.
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon often turns a deep red or copper colour — the so-called “blood moon” effect. This colour comes from sunlight refracted through Earth’s atmosphere, the same physics that turns sunsets red.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next lunar eclipse?▼
The exact date and time of the next lunar eclipse is shown above, computed live with astronomy-engine. The table lists which major world cities have the moon above the horizon at peak — those cities can see the eclipse, weather permitting.
What is the difference between a total, partial and penumbral lunar eclipse?▼
A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes entirely into the Earth's umbra (the dark central shadow) and often turns a deep red-orange as the only light reaching it is filtered through Earth's atmosphere. A partial eclipse only has part of the moon in the umbra. A penumbral eclipse only crosses the lighter outer shadow (penumbra), causing a subtle dimming that is hard to see with the naked eye.
Where on Earth can a lunar eclipse be seen?▼
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is visible from anywhere on Earth where the moon is above the horizon at the moment of peak. Roughly half the planet sees each lunar eclipse. The table above marks cities where the moon is above the local horizon at peak.
Do I need special glasses to watch a lunar eclipse?▼
No. Lunar eclipses are entirely safe to watch with the unaided eye, binoculars, or a telescope. Eclipse glasses are only required for solar eclipses, when you would be looking at the sun.
How often do lunar eclipses happen?▼
There are between two and five lunar eclipses every year — at least two, and at most five. Total lunar eclipses are less frequent, occurring on average about once every 2.5 years from any given location.
Why does the moon turn red during a total eclipse?▼
During totality the moon is in Earth's full shadow but is still faintly lit by sunlight refracted through Earth's atmosphere. Blue light is scattered out, leaving the red component to fall on the moon — the same effect that turns sunrises and sunsets red. The deeper the moon is in the umbra and the cleaner Earth's atmosphere, the redder the moon appears.