So, you’re standing outside, neck craned toward the sky, wondering what time is moon eclipse today because someone on social media mentioned a "Blood Moon." You aren’t alone. Every time a big celestial event rolls around, the internet goes into a bit of a frenzy. But here’s the thing—and I hate to be the bearer of boring news—if you’re looking for a lunar eclipse on January 17, 2026, you’re going to be staring at a very dark, very empty patch of sky.
The moon tonight is actually a tiny, 2% sliver of a waning crescent. It's basically invisible.
There is no eclipse today. Honestly, the confusion usually happens because people see "2026" and "Lunar Eclipse" in a headline and assume it’s happening right now. In reality, the big show is still a few weeks away. If you want to see the Earth actually take a bite out of the moon, you’ve got to mark your calendar for March.
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When Is the Next Real Lunar Eclipse?
The event everyone is actually talking about—the one that will turn the moon a deep, cinematic red—is the Total Lunar Eclipse on March 3, 2026. That is the date you’re looking for.
Why does this one matter? Because it’s a "Total" eclipse. We get penumbral eclipses (where the moon just looks a bit dusty) and partial eclipses (where it looks like a bite was taken out of it) fairly often. But a total eclipse is when the moon slides directly into the deepest part of Earth’s shadow, the umbra.
The March 3 Schedule (Mark This Down)
If you are in North America, this is an early bird special. You’ll need a thermos of coffee and some serious dedication. Here is how the timing breaks down in Eastern Standard Time (EST):
- 3:44 AM: The moon starts moving into the outer shadow. You probably won't notice much yet.
- 4:50 AM: The "partial" phase begins. This is when it looks like the moon is changing shape.
- 6:04 AM: Totality begins. This is the peak. This is when the moon turns red.
- 6:33 AM: Maximum eclipse.
- 7:02 AM: Totality ends.
For those of us on the East Coast, the moon is going to set while it's still eclipsed. You’ll see a red moon sinking into the horizon right as the sun starts to come up. It's an incredible photo op, but you need a clear view of the western horizon. If you’re in the West—say, California or British Columbia—you get the whole show from start to finish.
Why People Get Confused About Eclipse Times
Time zones are the enemy of amateur stargazing. Seriously.
When you search for what time is moon eclipse today, most sites give you UTC (Universal Time). If a site says the eclipse starts at 08:44 UTC on March 3, and you’re in New York, that’s actually 3:44 AM for you. If you don't do the math, you end up standing outside in the cold 12 hours late or 5 hours early.
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Also, let's talk about the "Blood Moon" hype. The moon doesn't actually turn "bloody." It turns a sort of coppery, orange-red. This happens because Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight—specifically the red wavelengths—and projects it onto the moon. It’s basically the glow of every sunrise and sunset on Earth happening at once and hitting the lunar surface.
If there’s a lot of dust or volcanic ash in the air, the red gets darker. It’s kinda moody.
What You Can Actually See Tonight
Since there isn't an eclipse today, January 17, what should you be looking for?
Well, we are currently approaching a New Moon (which happens tomorrow, January 18). This is actually the best time for "deep sky" observing. Because the moon isn't bright, it isn't washing out the stars.
If you have a pair of binoculars, point them toward the constellation Gemini. Jupiter is absolutely beaming right now. It reached "opposition" just a week ago, which means it’s as close and bright as it gets all year. You don't even need a telescope to see its four largest moons; a decent pair of birdwatching binoculars held steady will show them as tiny pinpricks of light.
2026 Eclipse Calendar at a Glance
If you’re a planner, here are the four big ones for this year:
- February 17: Annular Solar Eclipse. This is a "Ring of Fire," but unless you’re a scientist in Antarctica or a penguin, you won't see it.
- March 3: Total Lunar Eclipse. This is the big one for the Americas, Asia, and Australia.
- August 12: Total Solar Eclipse. This is the massive one. It passes over Iceland and Spain. People have been booking hotels for this for three years.
- August 28: Partial Lunar Eclipse. A nice midnight snack for skywatchers in the Americas and Europe.
Getting Ready for the March Eclipse
You don't need fancy gear for a lunar eclipse. Unlike a solar eclipse, you don't need those cardboard glasses. You can stare at the moon all you want; it won't hurt your eyes.
The best thing you can do right now is find a "scout" spot. You need a place with zero trees or buildings to the West/Southwest. Since the March eclipse happens right before sunrise, the moon will be very low. If you have a big hill or a tall apartment building in your way, you'll miss the best part.
Download an app like Stellarium or SkySafari. They have a "time travel" feature where you can set the date to March 3, 2026, and see exactly where the moon will be in your specific backyard.
Next Steps for You:
Check your local weather forecast for March 2nd (the night before the eclipse) to see if cloud cover is expected. If it looks cloudy, start looking for a "clear sky" spot within an hour's drive. Most importantly, verify your specific local moonset time; if the moon sets at 6:15 AM in your city, you need to be in position by 5:00 AM to catch the transition into totality.