When is the next lunar eclipse?
The next lunar eclipse will be a subtle penumbral eclipse overnight Feb. 20-21, 2027. It will be visible across much of North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
But don't expect a dramatic "blood moon". During a penumbral lunar eclipse, the moon passes only through the lighter, outer part of Earth's shadow, resulting in a subtle dimming that can be difficult to spot.
There are no total or partial lunar eclipses in 2027. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs on Aug. 16-17.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon takes on a deep red or coppery hue, often called a blood moon, and can be visible to millions of people worldwide.
Related: Solar eclipse guide: When, where and how to see them
This 2027 lunar eclipse calendar lists the exact date, time, and visibility details for the year's eclipses so you can plan your viewing.
- Total lunar eclipse: Earth's shadow is cast across the entire lunar surface.
- Partial lunar eclipse: During a partial lunar eclipse, only part of the moon enters Earth's shadow, which may look like it is taking a "bite" out of the lunar surface. Earth's shadow will appear dark on the side of the moon facing Earth. How much of a "bite" we see depends on how the sun, Earth and moon align, according to NASA.
- Penumbral lunar eclipse: The faint outer part of Earth's shadow is cast across the lunar surface. This type of eclipse is not as dramatic as the other two and can be difficult to see.
Penumbral lunar eclipse: Feb. 20-21, 2027
The first lunar eclipse of 2027 will occur overnight on Feb. 20-21, when the moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow known as the penumbra.
The eclipse begins at 4:12 p.m. EST (2112 GMT) on Feb. 21, reaches maximum eclipse at 6:12 p.m. EST (2312 GMT) and ends at 8:13 p.m. EST on Feb. 20 (0113 GMT on Feb. 21). The entire eclipse lasts just over 4 hours, according to Time and Date.
This will be the more noticeable of 2027's two penumbral lunar eclipses. At maximum eclipse around 92.7% of the moon's surface will be immersed in Earth's penumbral shadow. Don't expect the moon ot turn red or for a dark "bite" to appear, though. Instead, look for subtle shading or dimming across part of the lunar surface.
At least part of the eclipse will be visible across North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia as well as parts of Australia.
Penumbral lunar eclipse: Aug. 16-17, 2027
The second and final lunar eclipse of 2027 will be an even more subtle affair.
The penumbral eclipse begins at 1:24 a.m. EDT (0524 GMT) on Aug. 17, reaches its maximum at 3:13 a.m. EDT (0713 GMT) and ends at 5:03 a.m. EDT (0903 GMT). It lasts around 3 hours and 39 minutes, according to Time and Date.
At maximum, only around 54.5% of the moon's surface will be within Earth's penumbral shadow, so any changes in the moon's appearance will be difficult to detect.
At least part of the eclipse will be visible from North and South America, much of Australia, and parts of western Europe, northern Asia and northwestern Africa.
How to see a lunar eclipse
Lunar eclipses are among the easiest skywatching events to observe.
Looking for a telescope to get a better look at the moon? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners.
To watch a lunar eclipse, simply step outside, look up, and enjoy the view. No special equipment, like a telescope, is necessary. However, binoculars or a small telescope can enhance the experience by revealing details on the moon's surface. Moonwatching is just as captivating during an eclipse as at any other time. If the eclipse takes place in winter, be sure to dress warmly if you plan to stay outside for the entire event, as it can take a couple of hours to unfold. Consider bringing warm drinks, blankets, or chairs for added comfort.
If you hope to snap a photo of a lunar eclipse, here's our guide on how to photograph a lunar eclipse with a camera. And if you need imaging equipment, our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography have recommendations to make sure you're ready for the next eclipse.
Fancy taking a more in-depth moonlit tour of our rocky companion? Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture, whether it be exploring the lunar seas, mountainous terrain, or the many craters that blanket the landscape. You can also see where astronauts, rovers and landers have ventured with our Apollo landing sites observing guide.
Future lunar eclipses
Upcoming lunar eclipses:
Year |
Date |
Type of eclipse |
Visible locations |
|---|---|---|---|
2027 |
Feb. 20-21 |
Penumbral |
Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia |
2027 |
Aug. 16-17 |
Penumbral |
Americas, Pacific |
2028 |
Jan. 12, 2028 |
Partial |
Americas, Europe, Africa |
2028 |
July 6, 2028 |
Partial |
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
2028 |
Dec. 31, 2028 |
Total |
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific |
Next total lunar eclipse
The next total lunar eclipse will occur on Dec. 31, 2028, when the moon will pass completely into Earth's dark umbral shadow. The eclipse will be visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific.
Totality will last approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes, during which the moon can take on a striking reddish hue, earning total lunar eclipses the nickname "blood moon".
Lunar eclipse FAQs answered by an expert
We asked meteorologist Joe Rao, a few commonly asked questions about lunar eclipses.
Joe Rao is Space.com's skywatching columnist, as well as a veteran meteorologist and eclipse chaser who also serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium.
How often does a lunar eclipse happen?
This depends on what type of lunar eclipse you are referring to. There are two shadows cast into space by the Earth. A faint outer shadow called the penumbra and a much darker central shadow called the umbra. Penumbral lunar eclipses happen at least twice each year. However, in many cases, the penumbra is so faint that, more often than not, most people completely miss out on noticing it when it happens. Umbral eclipses occur about every 2 or 3 years — sometimes twice in a single year. Since the umbra is dark and well-defined people notice it when the moon moves either partially or completely within it.
How long do lunar eclipses last?
It depends on how deeply the moon penetrates into the Earth's umbra and how far away the moon is from the Earth. When the moon is near its closest point to Earth (perigee) it is moving much faster in its orbit as compared to when it's near its farthest point from Earth (apogee). Generally speaking, in the case of a total eclipse, it can last about three hours: one hour for the moon to move completely into the umbra, one hour for the moon to be completely immersed in the umbra and one hour for the moon to move out of the umbra. Totality can vary from just a few minutes to as long as 107 minutes. In the latter case, the moon moves directly through the center of the Earth's shadow while moving at its slowest in its orbit (apogee).
What's the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon crosses in front of the sun (at new moon). A lunar eclipse is something quite different. It occurs when the full moon passes into the Earth's shadow.
Editor's note: If you capture an amazing photo of a lunar eclipse and would like to share it with Space.com for a story or gallery, send images and comments to managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com.
