How to Experience the Last Total Lunar Eclipse for 3 Years

Be sure to set your alarm to witness the moon's captivating show early Tuesday morning—this won't happen again until March 14, 2025.

A total lunar eclipse will be visible across North America in the early hours before dawn. If you're farther West, your chances of seeing it improve significantly. Additionally, viewers in Asia, Australia, and the wider Pacific region can catch it just after sunset on Tuesday, November 8. The eclipse will commence shortly after 3 a.m. ET, according to NASA. As Earth moves directly between the moon and the sun, the moon will reach totality at 5:16 a.m. ET, lasting until 6:41 a.m. ET.

What causes the moon to appear red?

Referred to as a 'blood moon,' this eclipse will showcase a reddish-orange hue. Experts at NASA clarify that the same effect responsible for our blue skies and red sunsets also causes the moon to turn red during a lunar eclipse. When the moon is fully enveloped in Earth's shadow, some light from sunrises and sunsets illuminates the moon, giving it that red tint.

NASA describes it as though every sunrise and sunset from around the world is cast upon the Moon.

The greater the amount of dust in the Earth's atmosphere during an eclipse, the deeper the red coloration will appear.

Tips for optimal eclipse viewing

At the height of the eclipse, the Moon will be approximately 242,740 miles away from Earth, as reported by NASA scientists. While you can view the eclipse with the naked eye, using binoculars or telescopes can enhance the experience. It's also crucial to find a location with clear skies, free from clouds and light pollution, to fully appreciate the night sky.

In which areas will the lunar eclipse not be visible?

Weather permitting, South America will catch a glimpse of Tuesday’s lunar eclipse. However, regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and much of Europe will miss out entirely. Those outside the totality path can still enjoy the event through live streams offered by the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles and the Italy-based Virtual Telescope Project. Additionally, NASA’s Dial-a-Moon provides photographs of the occasion.

When can we expect the next lunar eclipse?

This marks the second total lunar eclipse of the year (the first occurred in May), and the next total lunar eclipse won’t happen until March 14, 2025—when the sun, Earth, and moon align again to allow Earth to cast a complete shadow over the moon. In the meantime, there will be several partial lunar eclipses, including the next one on October 28, 2023, where a portion of the moon will slip into Earth's shadow, creating the appearance of a 'bite' taken out of it.