Lunar eclipse 2026: When and how to see the ‘Blood moon’, in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and more

This is when the blood moon will rise in your city, what time totality begins, and how best to watch the 2026 lunar eclipse.

Madeline Cove

The Nightly

3 Min Read

1 hour ago

Updated

1 hour ago

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Find out how you can get a glimpse of the “blood moon”. Credit: NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Australians are set to witness one of the most striking celestial events of the year on March 3, when a total lunar eclipse, often called a “blood moon”, transforms the night sky into a slow, dramatic display.

Visible nationwide and unfolding conveniently in the evening hours, the rare astronomical phenomenon will see the moon shift from its usual white-gold glow to a deep red orb, offering stargazers a front-row seat to a spectacle that has captivated humans for centuries.

What causes a lunar eclipse

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A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the moon, casting a shadow that slowly swallows the lunar surface.

Professor Devika Kamath explains that a total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the moon and the Sun. “(The moon) plunges into the Earth’s darkest shadow (the umbra), giving it a reddish glow.”

Unlike a partial or penumbral eclipse — when only part of the moon drifts into the darker shadow — a total lunar eclipse transforms the entire disc. For viewers on the ground, the shift is gradual and mesmerising. The moon first dims almost imperceptibly. Then a dark curve creeps across its surface before totality arrives, turning it a deep red.

For Australians, this one is particularly well-timed.

“The moon will be in its totality, with the timing offering excellent visibility,” adds Professor Kamath.

What’s all the fuss about?

The dramatic red hue of the “blood moon” comes down to the earths atmosphere.

“During a total lunar eclipse, the moon slips into Earth’s shadow, but it doesn’t go completely dark. Instead, it glows with a deeper red or copper hue. This is because sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere gets filtered and bent, a process called Rayleigh scattering,” Professor Kamath explains.

It’s the same science behind vivid sunsets — except during a lunar eclipse, the moon is bathed in the light of every sunrise and sunset occurring on Earth at once.

The exact colour can vary.

“A clear sky might give the moon a burnt orange tint. But after volcanic eruptions or major bushfires, atmospheric particles can deepen the colour to a blood-red or even a brick-red. It’s a beautiful, planetary-scale display of light, dust and geometry.”

For Australians, the next opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse won’t arrive until December 31, 2028 — making this March’s event a rare and perfectly timed spectacle.

How and when you can view the ‘blood moon’

The total lunar eclipse will take place on the evening of March 3, 2026, extending into the early hours of March 4. The moon will spend about an hour in totality, which is the period during which the colour deepens to its richest shade.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to watch with the naked eye.

For the best experience, head somewhere with low artificial light and clear skies. Ideally, a picnic under the stars would set you up for an incredible show. But, if this is not available, a spot on a balcony or in a high-rise building will also allow you to catch the “blood moon”, just make sure you are on the correct side to see the moon.

Sydney (AEDT)