LUNAR ECLIPSE
Total lunar eclipse, December 31, 2028
The whole Moon passes into Earth’s umbra and turns a coppery red, often called a blood moon. Greatest eclipse is at 16:51 UTC (January 1 at 01:51 in Korea). Choose a city or use your location to see when each stage happens where you are.
Eclipse plan by location
Only part of totality is visible from London.
Greatest eclipse Dec 31, 16:51 London time · Moon about 7° high · northeast sky
The Moon rises at 15:51 during the eclipse. Find an open eastern horizon.
| Stage | Local time | Altitude · direction | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penumbral phase begins | Dec 31 | -10° | Below horizon |
| Partial phase begins | -5° | Below horizon | |
| Totality begins | 2° · northeast | Bright sky | |
| Greatest eclipse | 7° · northeast | Visible | |
| Totality ends | 12° · east | Visible | |
| Partial phase ends | 21° · east | Visible | |
| Penumbral phase ends | 31° · east | Visible |
How a lunar eclipse unfolds
- Penumbral phase — the Moon enters Earth’s faint outer shadow. It dims only slightly, and most people do not notice.
- Partial phase — the dark umbra creeps across the Moon from one edge, as if a bite were taken out of it.
- Totality — the whole Moon is inside the umbra. Only sunlight bent and reddened by Earth’s atmosphere reaches it, so it glows copper.
An eclipse happens at the same instant for everyone who can see the Moon; only the local clock and the Moon’s height differ. It is safe to watch with the naked eye. Weather, hills and buildings are not included in these calculations.
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