Stargazers across Australia will stay up late this Tuesday as the full moon turns red in a rare, "must-see" lunar eclipse.
On Tuesday night, the moon will slowly slip into Earth's shadow and emerge glowing deep red in a total lunar eclipse — the only 'blood moon' visible from Australia in 2026.
The transformation will be visible in every state and territory across the country, although the highly anticipated phase of totality (lasting 58 minutes) will occur at slightly different times depending on time zones, according to Jonti Horner, a professor of astrophysics from the University of Southern Queensland.
Unlike many celestial events that require special glasses or expensive equipment, this one asks you to simply step outside and look up.
What causes a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting a gigantic shadow across the lunar surface and turning the moon a deep reddish-orange during totality. This alignment can only happen during a full moon phase.
There are three key stages, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
Penumbral phase: The moon enters Earth's outer shadow (penumbra) and starts to dim, though this subtle shading can be hard to notice.
Partial eclipse: The moon moves into Earth's inner shadow (umbra), and a dark "bite" becomes visible on the lunar disk.
Total eclipse: The entire moon is inside the umbra and takes on its coppery-red hue as sunlight filters through Earth's atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface.
How can I watch it?
The total lunar eclipse will be visible everywhere in Australia, with times varying by city: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide will see the full eclipse.
The partial eclipse will start at 8.50pm AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne, and at 7.50pm in Brisbane and 8.20pm in Adelaide.
The total eclipse, when the moon is completely in Earth's shadow, will start at 10.04pm in Sydney and Melbourne, 9.04pm in Brisbane, and 9.34pm in Adelaide.
"It's only when you get near the time of totality that the rest of the moon that's visible will dim enough for you to see the red colour," Horner told SBS News.
The moon will start to leave Earth's shadow at 11.02 pm in Sydney and Melbourne, 10.02pm in Brisbane, 10.32pm in Adelaide, making totality last 58 minutes.
Perth will also catch a significant portion of the event, with the total eclipse starting at 7.04pm and ending at 8.02 pm.
Why is it called a blood moon?
The term blood moon comes from the reddish tint the moon takes on during totality. Rather than going completely dark, the moon reflects sunlight that has passed through Earth's atmosphere.
As blue wavelengths scatter out, longer red wavelengths bend into Earth's shadow and illuminate the lunar surface in hues from rusty orange to deep crimson.
"What we see from the Earth is that the moon goes, this kind of blood red colour, gets markedly fainter and that's what we get as a blood moon," Horner explained.
What else can I see on the night of the eclipse?
As Earth's shadow darkens the moon, the sky around it becomes richer and deeper: Known constellations may appear brighter and more detailed than usual, according to NASA.
Horner said the Milky Way can stand out more strongly, especially in dark-sky regions.
Planets and fainter stars also become easier to spot without the glare of a full moon.
How to best see the eclipse
To make the most of this stunning event, find an open viewing spot with a clear view of the sky.
Move away from bright city lights if you can.
If photographing, use a tripod and longer exposures to capture those deep red tones.
But Horner said while many people enjoy experimenting with binoculars, cameras, or telescopes, for him, the most memorable way to experience a total lunar eclipse is simply to watch with the naked eye.
"For me, it's got to be the naked eye. Go out there with the people you care for and go out and share this wonderful experience. You know, look up at the sky, see the moon going eerie," he said.
When is the next blood moon?
Tuesday's total lunar eclipse is the only one in 2026 visible from Australia and part of a rare global event. The next total lunar eclipse anywhere on Earth won't occur until 2028.
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