BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Skywatchers across much of the Western Hemisphere will soon witness a dramatic celestial display as a total lunar eclipse transforms the full moon into a deep, coppery red — a phenomenon often referred to as a “blood moon.” The event, visible early Tuesday in large parts of the Americas, will be the last total lunar eclipse until late 2028.
The eclipse will be observable Tuesday morning from North America, Central America and the western regions of South America. In Australia and eastern Asia, the spectacle will unfold later that night. Observers in Central Asia and much of South America will see partial phases of the eclipse, during which Earth’s shadow appears to take gradual bites out of the moon’s bright surface. Much of Europe and Africa, however, will miss the event entirely due to the timing and position of the moon below the horizon.
Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, Earth and moon align in near-perfect formation, with Earth positioned directly between the sun and a full moon. As Earth blocks the sun’s direct light, its shadow sweeps across the lunar surface. While eclipses of some kind happen several times a year — typically between four and seven annually — total lunar eclipses visible from a specific region are far less frequent.
This week’s celestial event follows closely on the heels of a recent “ring of fire” solar eclipse that captivated observers in Antarctica. That earlier event occurred when the moon passed between Earth and the sun but was too far from Earth to completely obscure the solar disk, leaving a brilliant ring of sunlight encircling the moon’s silhouette.
In contrast, a total lunar eclipse unfolds more gradually and is safe to observe with the naked eye. As Earth’s shadow fully envelops the moon, the lunar surface takes on a reddish-orange hue. The coloration results from sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere. Shorter wavelengths of light — such as blues and greens — scatter in the atmosphere, while longer red wavelengths bend and pass through, casting a faint, copper-toned glow onto the moon.
The entire sequence will last several hours, with the period of totality — when the moon is completely within Earth’s shadow — expected to endure for roughly one hour. During this phase, the moon will appear darkest and most vividly red.
Astronomers note that, unlike solar eclipses, which require protective eyewear and precise timing to observe safely, lunar eclipses unfold at a more relaxed pace. Catherine Miller of Middlebury College’s Mittelman Observatory described the event as less hurried and more forgiving for casual viewers.
Experts recommend checking local forecasting tools or online astronomical calendars to determine the precise timing in specific regions. Observers can step outside periodically to watch as the moon gradually darkens and shifts color. Even brief glances over the course of the evening will reveal the slow but steady movement of Earth’s shadow.
“You don’t have to be out there the whole time to see the shadows moving,” said Bennett Maruca, an astronomer at the University of Delaware, noting that the gradual progression is part of the eclipse’s appeal.
Weather conditions will ultimately determine viewing quality. Clear skies and minimal light pollution will provide the best vantage points, though even urban observers should be able to see the color change if clouds cooperate.
While another partial lunar eclipse is scheduled for August — visible across the Americas, Europe, Africa and parts of western Asia — it will not feature the full, dramatic red transformation that defines a total eclipse. For many observers in the Western Hemisphere, Tuesday’s display will be the final opportunity for several years to witness the moon bathed in Earth’s shadow, glowing in shades of crimson against the night sky.
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