Total Lunar Eclipse - December 31, 2028
Dec 31, 2028
The next total lunar eclipse - a "blood moon" - happens on New Year's Eve, Sunday, December 31, 2028.
The full Moon slides fully into Earth's dark umbral shadow and turns a coppery red for 1 hour 11 minutes. A total lunar eclipse to ring out the year.
Eclipse details
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, December 31, 2028 |
| Type | Total lunar eclipse (Saros series 125) |
| Greatest eclipse | 16:53 UTC |
| Umbral magnitude | 1.246 |
| Partial phases | 3 hours 29 minutes |
| Totality duration | 1 hour 11 minutes |
| Visible from | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific |
Source: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center eclipse catalog, Lunar Eclipses 2021-2030 (Fred Espenak). NASA: Lunar Eclipses 2021-2030
Where to watch
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific are on the night side of Earth during the eclipse. Western Europe and Africa see totality in the evening sky; Asia and Australia late at night. The Americas are in daylight at greatest eclipse and miss this one. No eye protection needed.
Why does the Moon turn red?
During totality, the only light reaching the Moon is sunlight filtered through Earth's atmosphere - every sunrise and sunset on Earth projected onto the lunar surface. The exact shade of red depends on Earth's atmosphere that day.
Common questions
Is the December 31, 2028 blood moon visible in the United States?
No - the Americas face the Sun during the eclipse. The next total lunar eclipse visible from the Americas is June 26, 2029, visible from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
What time is totality?
Greatest eclipse is 16:53 UTC, with totality running for 1 hour 11 minutes around that time - roughly 17:00-18:00 in western Europe and later in the evening further east.
Is it safe to look at?
Yes. Lunar eclipses are always safe to watch with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope.