Skywatchers across North and South America are positioned for ideal views as a near-total lunar eclipse unfolds Thursday night into Friday, masking nearly 96% of the lunar surface in Earth’s shadow according to the Los Angeles Times. The event serves as the second act of the solar system’s alignment cycle, arriving two weeks after a total solar eclipse darkened skies over Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
Prime Viewing for a Near-Total Lunar Eclipse
During the event, Earth passes directly between the moon and the sun, casting a reddish-orange shadow onto the lunar disk. Because the planetary alignment is not entirely perfect for this event, it is classified as a deep partial eclipse rather than a true blood moon, with the partial phase lasting over three hours.
Global Visibility and Timeline Details
The entire cosmic event will stretch across 5.5 hours from the moment the full moon enters the faintest, outermost edge of Earth’s shadow until it finally exits. The eclipse reaches its peak just after midnight Eastern time, or just after 9 p.m. Pacific time reported the Los Angeles Times.
Nearly 1 billion people spanning the United States, Canada, and Central and South America will have front-row seats to observe every single stage of the eclipse noted the Los Angeles Times. In total, more than 3 billion individuals—representing 44% of the global population—will be positioned to catch at least a portion of the celestial display, provided weather conditions leave skies clear.
Viewing experiences will vary by geography:
- North and South America: Full visibility of all eclipse stages for most regions, excluding Alaska and northernmost Canada.
- Europe, Africa, and the Middle East: The eclipsed moon will be setting as the event progresses, cutting the viewing short.
- Hawaii and Northwestern North America: The moon will be rising, giving the eastern Pacific, northwestern U.S., and western Canada a late start to the viewing window.
Perspectives from Orbit and Future Eclipses
The lunar spectacle will also be visible to the ten individuals currently living off-planet, including seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station and three crew members stationed on China’s orbiting outpost according to the Los Angeles Times. Space provides a unique perspective for watching cosmic wonders such as eclipses and auroras, said the space station’s commander, Jessica Meir
as published by the Los Angeles Times.
NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, speaking from the space station to the Associated Press, emphasized the momentum of current space exploration following Artemis II’s lunar flyby in April, stating, This is a great time to be part of the space program, right? We’re not slowing down
noted the Los Angeles Times.
This event marks the second lunar eclipse and the fourth total eclipse overall for the year, following a total lunar eclipse in March. Observers waiting for the next complete lunar blackout will have to wait until New Year’s Eve in 2028, when Asia and Australia take center stage, while stargazers across the Americas will not see another full lunar eclipse until 2029 according to the Los Angeles Times.
