Do I need a telescope to watch a lunar eclipse?

No. Lunar eclipses are naked-eye events and completely safe to watch. Binoculars can enhance the colour, but nothing is required.

Why does the Moon turn red?

During totality the only sunlight reaching the Moon is bent through Earth's atmosphere, which filters out blue light and leaves a reddish glow — the same effect that reddens sunsets.

Eclipses

Total Lunar

Total Lunar Eclipse — 31 December 2028

Sunday, December 31, 2028 at 04:51 PM

T-00:00:00:00DHMS

Magnitude

Total — the whole Moon enters Earth's shadow

Duration

Totality lasts about 72 minutes

Visibility

Visible from the night side of Earth

Global timeline (UTC-based, shown in your timezone)

Penumbral eclipse beginsDec 31, 02:03 PM
Partial eclipse beginsDec 31, 03:07 PM
Totality beginsDec 31, 04:15 PM
Maximum eclipseDec 31, 04:51 PM
Totality endsDec 31, 05:28 PM
Partial eclipse endsDec 31, 06:36 PM
Penumbral eclipse endsDec 31, 07:40 PM

About this eclipse

A total lunar eclipse, when the Moon passes fully into Earth's shadow and often glows a deep coppery red — the 'blood moon'.

Lunar eclipses are visible from the entire night side of Earth at once and are completely safe to watch with the naked eye — no equipment needed.

Frequently asked

Eclipses

Total Lunar

Total Lunar Eclipse — 31 December 2028

Sunday, December 31, 2028 at 04:51 PM

T-00:00:00:00DHMS

Magnitude

Total — the whole Moon enters Earth's shadow

Duration

Totality lasts about 72 minutes

Visibility

Visible from the night side of Earth

Global timeline (UTC-based, shown in your timezone)

Penumbral eclipse beginsDec 31, 02:03 PM
Partial eclipse beginsDec 31, 03:07 PM
Totality beginsDec 31, 04:15 PM
Maximum eclipseDec 31, 04:51 PM
Totality endsDec 31, 05:28 PM
Partial eclipse endsDec 31, 06:36 PM
Penumbral eclipse endsDec 31, 07:40 PM

About this eclipse

A total lunar eclipse, when the Moon passes fully into Earth's shadow and often glows a deep coppery red — the 'blood moon'.

Lunar eclipses are visible from the entire night side of Earth at once and are completely safe to watch with the naked eye — no equipment needed.