Tuesday’s ‘Blood Moon’ Eclipse Won’t Return Until 2028

Skywatchers across Delaware and much of North America can witness a rare total lunar eclipse Tuesday morning that will turn the moon a deep red color. The celestial event won't happen again until late 2028, making this a special viewing opportunity for our area.

Delaware residents will have a front-row seat Tuesday morning for a spectacular celestial show that won’t return for more than four years.

A total lunar eclipse will transform the moon into a crimson-colored orb visible across North America, including the First State. The dramatic astronomical event won’t occur again until the end of 2028, making Tuesday’s viewing opportunity particularly special.

Observers throughout Delaware, along with viewers across Central America and western South America, will be able to witness the complete eclipse Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Australia and eastern Asia will see the phenomenon Tuesday evening. People in Central Asia and much of South America can observe partial phases where Earth’s shadow takes small chunks out of the lunar surface. Unfortunately, Africa and Europe will miss out entirely.

This celestial alignment occurs when our planet positions itself directly between the sun and a full moon, creating a shadow that engulfs the lunar surface. The moon appears blood-red during totality because scattered sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching it.

According to NASA, these precise alignments of the sun, moon and Earth produce between four and seven eclipses annually. These events often occur in pairs, capitalizing on optimal positioning in the celestial bodies’ orbital paths. Tuesday’s lunar eclipse follows just two weeks after a spectacular ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse that amazed observers and even penguins in Antarctica.

The entire event will unfold gradually over several hours, with the total eclipse phase lasting approximately one hour.

“The lunar eclipse is a little more of a relaxed pace,” explained Catherine Miller from Middlebury College’s Mittelman Observatory, comparing it to solar eclipses.

Local astronomer Bennett Maruca from the University of Delaware offered viewing advice for Delawareans: “You don’t have to be out there the whole time to see the shadows moving.”

Unlike solar eclipses, no protective eyewear or special equipment is required for safe viewing. Observers simply need clear, unobstructed skies to enjoy the show. Weather forecasting apps or online astronomical calendars can provide precise timing for specific locations.

Maruca suggests stepping outside periodically to watch Earth’s shadow gradually darken the moon before revealing the distinctive reddish-orange appearance.

Looking ahead, a partial lunar eclipse is scheduled for August, which will be visible throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and western Asia.