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'Blood moon' to be visible from Tuesday, last of its kind until 2072

Published: 02 Mar. 2026, 20:17

LIM JEONG-WON
[email protected]

A lunar eclipse is seen on Sept. 8, 2025 in this file photo provided by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. [KOREA ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE]

A so-called "blood moon" will be visible across all regions in Korea on Tuesday, as the moon turns into a dark reddish color amid a total lunar eclipse set to take place on Tuesday evening.

All phases of the eclipse will be observable nationwide if weather conditions permit, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute said Monday. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon and casts its shadow over the lunar surface.

This year’s eclipse coincides with the first full moon of the lunar calendar, also known as Daeboreum. It marks the first time since 1990 that a total lunar eclipse has occurred on the first lunar full moon of the year.

The moon will rise at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday. The partial eclipse, when Earth’s shadow begins to cover part of the moon, will start at 6:49:48 p.m. The total phase, during which the moon is completely within Earth’s shadow, will last from 8:04 p.m. to 9:03:24 p.m., for about one hour.

The eclipse will reach its maximum at 8:33:42 p.m., when the moon is expected to be at an altitude of about 24 degrees in the eastern sky.

For roughly an hour after totality, the moon will appear darker and take on a reddish hue. The color change occurs because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere is refracted toward the moon.

Citizens wait to watch a lunar eclipse at the Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang on Sept. 8, 2025. [YONHAP]

The precise shade of red can vary depending on atmospheric conditions, including the amount of dust and cloud cover in Earth’s atmosphere.

Astronomers recommend viewing the eclipse from an open area with a clear view of the eastern horizon and minimal obstruction from tall buildings.

Lunar eclipses can occur only during a full moon. They do not happen every month because the moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth’s orbital plane. In addition to Korea, the eclipse will be visible in parts of East Asia near the Pacific, Australia and the Americas.

The next total lunar eclipse visible from Korea is expected on Dec. 31, 2028, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute said. A total lunar eclipse coinciding on the first full moon of the lunar calendar will next take place in 2072.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]