Eclipses
Lunar Eclipses
Lunar eclipses — total, partial, and penumbral — with the geometry behind each. Completely safe to watch with the naked eye. Dated lunar eclipses are in the observing calendar, from NASA's Five Millennium Catalog.
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.