Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki said New Zealand is one of the only countries in the world where people will be able to see the eclipse for its entire duration.
“This is the only total lunar eclipse of 2026, and there won’t be another until 2028,” Stardome said.
Aoraki told NZME the spectacular moon will be able to be seen across the whole of New Zealand, but the quality of the view will depend on the weather.
“There’s no one best place. The moon’s going to be really high in the sky, so pretty much anywhere in the country is going to get the same view,” he said.
Aoraki said the only factor to think about is the potential for heavy cloud cover.
“I think Southland and maybe the East Coast, it looks like there’s a bit of cloud, but essentially for the rest of the country, it looks like most of us are going to get a really good view,” he said.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the moon. Photo / Stardome
For Aucklanders, the Earth’s outer shadow will begin to touch the moon from 9.44pm tomorrow.
“By about 11pm, it’s going to start to fall into the Earth’s shadow, and it’s going to start to get red,” Aoraki said.
Stardome said the moon will be fully immersed in Earth’s shadow and appear red at 12.04am.
“The very peak of the eclipse, the best time to see it, is at about 12.30am and that’s when the moon is going to be at its reddest,” Aoraki said.
The Earth’s outer shadow will leave the moon completely by 3.23am on Wednesday.
Stardome said that, unlike a solar eclipse, no special equipment is required for a lunar eclipse.
Although eyes are all you need, telescopes and binoculars are recommended to enhance the view.
Stardome said a total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the moon.
“During this alignment, Earth’s shadow completely covers the moon, causing it to dim and take on a striking red or copper-coloured hue.
“This colour change happens because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere is scattered and bent toward the moon.
“Blue light is scattered away, while red wavelengths travel through and illuminate the lunar surface, an effect similar to the red colours seen at sunrise and sunset,” Stardome said.
Lunar eclipses always occur two weeks after a solar eclipse, and vice versa.
The total lunar eclipse tomorrow night will be the first since 2022 for Aotearoa residents to witness the entire duration.
