The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century takes place today Friday, July 27. Blood Moon 2018: The time of greatest eclipse will be 4:21 p.m. EDT (2021 GMT) on July 27, according to EarthSky.org. The total eclipse will last from 3:30 p.m. to 5:13 p.m. EDT (1930 to 2113 GMT). There will also be sometime before and after when the moon is in the lighter part of Earth’s shadow, which is called the penumbra. Including that penumbral time, the eclipse will last for 3 hours and 55 minutes.
Blood Moon 2018: The total phase of the “”blood moon”” eclipse of July 27 will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth’s natural satellite will turn a spectacular red or ruddy-brown color. From start to finish, the entire celestial event will last nearly 4 hours.
The eclipse won’t be visible to viewers in North America, except via webcasts. But observers in much of Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia and the Indian Ocean region will get an eyeful, given the cooperative weather, according to lunar scientist Noah Petro, of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
July’s total lunar eclipse occurs on the same day the planet Mars reaches its opposition when it will shine at its best in the night sky. This month, Mars will be at its closest to Earth since 2003. After opposition, when Mars will be brightest, it will reach that closest point on July 31. You can learn more about that event in our dedicated guide here: Mars at Opposition 2018: How to See It and What to Expect
What is the Blood Moon of July 27?
Unlike with solar eclipses, you need no special equipment to observe lunar eclipses. These latter events, which occur when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow, are safe to view directly with the naked eye, telescopes or binoculars.
The moon turns deep red or reddish brown during eclipses, instead of going completely dark. That’s because some of the sunlight going through Earth’s atmosphere is bent around the edge of our planet and falls onto the moon’s surface. Earth’s air also scatters shorter-wavelength light (in colors such as green or blue); what’s left is the longer-wavelength, redder end of the spectrum.
Where and when will it be visible? The timing if this total lunar eclipse means it won’t be visible from North America, though much of the Eastern Hemisphere of Earth will see part or all of the eclipse. The entire eclipse will be visible from Africa, the Middle East and countries in central Asia. The eclipse will be visible from eastern South America as it is ending, and from Australia as it is beginning.
Maybe Venezuela is still close to North America, the angle of the earth not the best spot to see it. I do hear people from Africa who saw part of it. I couldn’t see the one in January either. Will see if we have any luck in January 2019.
You’re welcome, Lynn. The moon was bright white and Mars was bright orange last night. We can’t see the blood red here. I’m glad you like it. I’m always amazed of the blood moon. ❤ ❤
I’m glad you did. I love to see it myself. I think it’s the way the earth and the moon rotate, this part of the earth doesn’t have the angle to see the blood red. We couldn’t see it the last time either.
I didn’t. It was a bit early for me and I didn’t realise it was visible from here. I saw some good local photos on TV though. I’m sorry I didn’t make the effort.
The Showers of Blessings 
In Venezuela it could not be seen but with the photos and the description you make, they compensate for that setback. Thank you.
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Maybe Venezuela is still close to North America, the angle of the earth not the best spot to see it. I do hear people from Africa who saw part of it. I couldn’t see the one in January either. Will see if we have any luck in January 2019.
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I wish it so. Greetings.
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Yes, let’s hope to see it next year. Have a nice day.
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Absolutely amazing!! Thank you for sharing this with us, Miriam!! ❤ ❤
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You’re welcome, Lynn. The moon was bright white and Mars was bright orange last night. We can’t see the blood red here. I’m glad you like it. I’m always amazed of the blood moon. ❤ ❤
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Wow!
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Thank you!
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Beautiful
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Thank you very much.
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A super post, Miriam. We watched part of this… it got quite late but it was fabulous.
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I’m glad you did. I love to see it myself. I think it’s the way the earth and the moon rotate, this part of the earth doesn’t have the angle to see the blood red. We couldn’t see it the last time either.
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Totally awesome!
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We couldn’t see it. Did you see part of it?
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I didn’t. It was a bit early for me and I didn’t realise it was visible from here. I saw some good local photos on TV though. I’m sorry I didn’t make the effort.
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We didn’t get the blood moon, but it was full and bright moon with bright orange Mars. I was too tired to take photos. I usually do.
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Sounds beautiful!
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Yes, Norah. Too bad we can’t see it from our angle of the earth. I always have to find out from internet.
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There’s a lot that falls into that category, Miriam. 🙂
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I think so. I may have to go to India to see it. 🙂
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that’s so cool! xo
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Thank you so much. xo
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