A lunar eclipse is a breathtaking celestial event that offers a perfect opportunity to spark curiosity about the moon, space, and astronomy in your classroom or homeschool. In this guide, we’ll explore what causes a lunar eclipse, the different types, how it compares to a solar eclipse, and the best ways to view one. Plus, I’ve included a list of dates for upcoming lunar eclipses so you can plan ahead!
A Note for Teachers: If you’re an educator planning to teach lunar eclipses, great learning resources are key to deepening understanding! I think you and your students will love my Lunar Eclipse Mini Study, which you can also find within my complete Night Sky Unit (plus you’ll support my blog with your purchase! ❤️)
What is a Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. From Earth, this can look like the Moon goes through all of its phases in a single night, over several hours. When the Moon is centered in the Earth’s shadow, it will appear dark and reddish. Why? It’s because Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight, scattering blue light and bending red and orange light to reach the Moon.
Lunar eclipses only happen during a full moon when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun on the other side of Earth. But why don’t we have a lunar eclipse with every full moon? It’s because the Moon’s orbit is slightly tilted, so most of the time, it passes just above or below Earth’s shadow. On rare occasions, when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up perfectly, the Moon passes right through Earth’s shadow, creating a lunar eclipse.
To understand a lunar eclipse, you need to understand shadows. Earth’s shadow has two parts: the penumbra (a partial shadow) and the umbra (a total shadow). When the Moon is in the penumbra, it looks only a little dimmer. But when it’s in the umbra, the Moon darkens and may turn a spooky red!
Types of Lunar Eclipses
There are three main types of lunar eclipses:
•Total: The Moon is completely shaded by Earth’s umbra. This is the most dramatic and the type where you might see that deep red coloring during the middle part of the eclipse.
•Partial: Only part of the Moon enters Earth’s umbra.
•Penumbral: The Moon stays in Earth’s penumbra, appearing just slightly darker.
Lunar vs Solar Eclipses
Lunar eclipses are not the only type of eclipses. There are also solar eclipses which are quite different. The main difference is in how the Earth, Moon, and Sun are lined up. During a lunar eclipse, the Earth is between the Sun and Moon, so that the Moon is covered in shadow. On the other hand, during a solar eclipse, the moon is between the Sun and Earth, so that part of the Earth is in the Moon’s shadow.
Another big difference between lunar and solar eclipses is when they happen. Solar eclipses can only happen during the daytime, while lunar eclipses happen at night. Interested in learning more about solar eclipses too? Continue reading about solar eclipses, their stages, and how to view them.
Viewing a Lunar Eclipse
To see a lunar eclipse, it must be nighttime where you are. Unlike a solar eclipse, it’s perfectly safe to watch a lunar eclipse with your eyes. The best spot to view is somewhere dark, with little light pollution, and a clear view of the sky. Binoculars or a telescope can help you see the details better. Lunar eclipses take several hours, with the total eclipse phase lasting anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Lunar eclipses are rare and amazing events – be sure to catch one when you can!
Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipses
Are you hoping to catch a total lunar eclipse? Viewing a lunar eclipse is a memorable experience for adults and kids of all ages. Seeing an eclipse is also a wonderful educational opportunity to learn about orbits, planets, stars, and more!
Here are the dates of several upcoming total lunar eclipses:
- March 14, 2025
- September 7, 2025
- March 3, 2026
- December 31, 2028
- June 26, 2029
- Dec 20-21, 2029
- April 25, 2032
- October 18, 2032
- April 14, 2033
- October 8, 2033
Source: TimeAndDate.Com
Study this topic with Wild Earth Lab!
My printable learning materials include tons of diagrams, posters, and worksheets that I’ve designed to enhance and complement your studies of the moon and eclipses:
- Lunar Eclipse mini study: worksheets and diagrams for studying and watching lunar eclipses
- The Night Sky complete unit: includes all the materials from the mini study plus tons more
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References and Further Reading
- Fraknoi, A., Morrison, D., Wolff, S. C., (2016). Astronomy. OpenStax. Available: https://openstax.org/books/astronomy/pages/1-6-a-tour-of-the-universe
- NASA (n.d.). The Moon and Eclipses. Available: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/eclipses/
- O’Callaghan, J. (n.d.). Lunar eclipse guide: what they are, when to see them and where. Natural History Museum. Available: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/lunar-eclipse-guide-what-they-are-when-to-see-them-and-where.html
- Time and Date (n.d.). Solar and Lunar Eclipses Worldwide – Next 10 Years. Available: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list.html