Longest complete lunar eclipse since 2022 rises this weekend: This is when and the place to see the ‘blood moon’

On the night time of Sept. 7-8, Australia, Asia, Africa and elements of Europe will get a spectacular view of all phases of a “blood moon” complete lunar eclipse.

During the occasion, which can final about 5 hours, the full Corn Moon will transfer by way of Earth’s shadow in area. It will step by step be engulfed by that shadow, taking over a copper-reddish colour — therefore the identify “blood moon” — for 82 minutes, making it the longest complete lunar eclipse since 2022.

Unlike a total solar eclipse, which can be seen only from within a narrow path of totality, a total lunar eclipse is visible from anywhere on Earth’s night side. Unfortunately for North America, it’s on the day side during this eclipse.

Despite that, this will be a highly visible eclipse: The total and partial phases will be observable by 5.8 billion people — about 71% of the world’s population. Among the first cities to experience totality will be Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Australia; Tokyo; and Seoul. The last will include Moscow; Ankara, Turkey; and Bucharest, Romania, with an eclipsed moon seen at moonrise from Western Europe.

Lunar eclipses are visible to the naked eye, and no special equipment is necessary. However, to zoom in on details of the lunar surface and really watch Earth’s shadow creep by, a good backyard telescope or a pair of stargazing binoculars will work wonders.

The last time a total lunar eclipse was visible from North America was a 65-minute eclipse on March 14, 2025, and the next one will be a 58-minute event on March 2-3, 2026, according to Time and Date.

Related: How to {photograph} the moon: Tips on digicam gear, settings and composition

The Sept. 7-8 lunar eclipse will final a complete of 5 hours, 27 minutes. The occasion begins at 11:28 a.m. EDT (15:28 UTC) on Sept. 7, with the total moon transferring by way of Earth’s outer shadow, the penumbra, throughout which it would lose a lot of its brightness. As it begins to enter Earth’s darker interior shadow, the umbra, at 12:26 p.m. (16:26 UTC), a curved projection of Earth’s shadow can be seen step by step engulfing the moon.

Once the moon is absolutely contained in the umbra, at 1:30 p.m. EDT (17:30 UTC), it would seem copper-red for 82 minutes, till 2:52 p.m. EDT (18:52 UTC). The spectacle will then back off because the moon step by step exits the umbra after which the penumbra, earlier than ending at 4:55 p.m. (20:55 UTC), in response to EarthSky.

Livestreams of the overall lunar eclipse can be supplied from Cyprus by Time and Date and from Italy by The Virtual Telescope Project.