If you see the moon glowing red on Monday, it’s no illusion — it’s actually a rare astronomical event.
A total lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, is going to be visible across Australia's night sky for about an hour, before disappearing from the sky for months.
The event also occurs as the moon approaches perigee, the point where it is closest to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger.
Here is everything you need to know about the total lunar eclipse:
Where to see the blood moon
The blood moon can be seen from each corner of Australia, and it will also be visible in Africa, India, China and parts of western Europe.
However, the view is best enjoyed from elevated locations away from light pollution.
You don't need eclipse glasses to watch a lunar eclipse and you should be able to see it clearly with the naked eye.
Another blood moon was also visible in Australia in November 2022. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins
When to watch the lunar eclipse
The blood moon will appear in the sky for 82 minutes in the early hours of Monday 8 September.
The astronomical event will start at 3.30am in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, and Hobart; 3.00am in Adelaide and Darwin; and around 1.30am in Perth.
The maximum eclipse, when the moon reaches its deepest point within Earth's shadow, will also happen at these times:
- 4.11am for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, and Hobart
- 3.41am in Adelaide and Darwin
- 2.11am in Perth
What exactly will happen?
A total lunar eclipse occurs only when Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon, causing Earth's shadow to cover the moon and prevent sunlight from reaching it.
As a result, the Earth's atmosphere bends the sunlight and directly lights up the moon, leading to seeing it with a reddish glow to the naked eye, which some describe as the 'blood moon'.
During a partial lunar eclipse, only a part of the moon will be covered by the Earth's shadow.
When is the next blood moon?
Total lunar eclipses can be considered a rare astronomical event, as fewer than a third of eclipses are considered total lunar eclipses.
A total lunar eclipse happens once every two-and-a-half years on average.
This will be the second time Australians can witness a lunar eclipse this year; in March there was a total eclipse for parts of the world including New Zealand and the US but it was only visible in eastern Australian skies, and then as a partial eclipse.
The next total lunar eclipse won't occur until March next year.
If you miss the total lunar eclipse in 2026, then you have to wait two years until December 2028 to witness the blood moon.
