Is there a lunar eclipse tonight?

This viewer lists the next several lunar eclipses from today, with peak time and whether the Moon is above your horizon at each contact. If the next one is weeks away, the card still shows that date so you can plan.

Can I see it from my location if the Moon is down at peak?

Yes — we keep the event and flag each contact as above or below your horizon. You may still catch P1 or P4 after moonrise even when greatest eclipse happens in daylight.

Why is the eclipsed Moon copper-red in the 3D view?

During umbral eclipse, sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere and loses blue light (Rayleigh scattering). The viewer tints the umbra copper to illustrate that — it is not a predicted Danjon L from dust or volcanoes. Real color varies night to night.

How accurate are the times and the 3D shadow?

astronomy-engine ELP/VSOP: Moon position typically about 1 arcminute, contact times about 1 minute. Good enough for planning and visualization — not NASA Besselian elements or IAU eclipse bulletins.

Does this include solar eclipses?

No — this page is lunar only. For local solar contact times, obscuration, and a Sun-disc simulation see /tools/solar-eclipse-viewer/. Never look at the Sun without ISO 12312-2 filters.

Do I need a telescope?

No. Lunar eclipses are naked-eye events. Use Dark Sky Window if you also want moonless hours, and Tonight score for weather before you go out.

Tools

Lunar Eclipse Tonight? Times, Direction & 3D View

Play the next lunar eclipse from first penumbra to last — local times, Moon altitude, and a 3D disc with Earth’s shadow.

0.00°N, 0.00°E

0.0000°N, 0.0000°E

Times and Moon altitude use this observer pin.

Next lunar eclipse

Partial lunar eclipse

Fri, Aug 28, 4:12 AM UTC

0.00°N, 0.00°E: Moon above the horizon at greatest eclipse · W 260° · 26° alt. Contacts still listed so you can plan for rise/set.

Need the Sun instead? Open the solar eclipse viewer.

Total · copper umbra

W 260° · 26° alt

Copper on the disc is illustrative Rayleigh reddening — sunlight bent through Earth’s atmosphere — not a predicted Danjon L from volcanic aerosols.

4:12:49 AM

Contacts and visibility

Penumbral (P1–P4): 5h 38m
Umbral (U1–U4): 3h 18m
Total (U2–U3): —

Shadow approaches from the east of the lunar disc (position angle 108°).

Contact	Local time	Alt / az	Horizon
P1 Penumbral start	Fri, Aug 28, 1:23 AM UTC	66° · WSW 245°	Above
U1 Partial start	Fri, Aug 28, 2:33 AM UTC	49° · WSW 255°	Above
peak Greatest eclipse	Fri, Aug 28, 4:12 AM UTC	26° · W 260°	Above
U4 Partial end	Fri, Aug 28, 5:52 AM UTC	2° · W 261°	Above
P4 Penumbral end	Fri, Aug 28, 7:02 AM UTC	-14° · W 261°	Below horizon

Positions from astronomy-engine (ELP/VSOP). Moon typically ~1′, contact times ~1 minute. Good enough for planning and visualization — not NASA Besselian or IAU eclipse-bulletin precision.

Field card with phases, times, direction, and location.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a lunar eclipse tonight?: This viewer lists the next several lunar eclipses from today, with peak time and whether the Moon is above your horizon at each contact. If the next one is weeks away, the card still shows that date so you can plan.
Can I see it from my location if the Moon is down at peak?: Yes — we keep the event and flag each contact as above or below your horizon. You may still catch P1 or P4 after moonrise even when greatest eclipse happens in daylight.
Why is the eclipsed Moon copper-red in the 3D view?: During umbral eclipse, sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere and loses blue light (Rayleigh scattering). The viewer tints the umbra copper to illustrate that — it is not a predicted Danjon L from dust or volcanoes. Real color varies night to night.
How accurate are the times and the 3D shadow?: astronomy-engine ELP/VSOP: Moon position typically about 1 arcminute, contact times about 1 minute. Good enough for planning and visualization — not NASA Besselian elements or IAU eclipse bulletins.
Does this include solar eclipses?: No — this page is lunar only. For local solar contact times, obscuration, and a Sun-disc simulation see /tools/solar-eclipse-viewer/. Never look at the Sun without ISO 12312-2 filters.
Do I need a telescope?: No. Lunar eclipses are naked-eye events. Use Dark Sky Window if you also want moonless hours, and Tonight score for weather before you go out.

Uses astronomy-engine SearchLunarEclipse for kind and semi-durations, then reconstructs contacts around peak. The 3D Moon is a local-sky view with an exaggerated disc so umbra and penumbra are readable. Pair with Sky Events for the live feed and Learn astro-104 for Moon phases.