Eclipses
Lunar Eclipses
Lunar eclipses — total, partial, and penumbral — with the geometry behind each. Completely safe to watch with the naked eye. Specific dates are prepared for published NASA predictions; none are fabricated.
Night SkyReference data
Types of lunar eclipse
- Total Lunar Eclipse
- The Moon passes fully into Earth's umbral shadow and often turns coppery red (a 'blood Moon'). Completely safe to watch with the naked eye.
- Partial Lunar Eclipse
- Only part of the Moon enters Earth's umbra, leaving a dark bite on the lunar disc.
- Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
- The Moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow, producing only a subtle shading.
← All eclipses · Solar eclipses →
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.