Lunar Eclipse Visibility Map
Choose a lunar eclipse, compare where the Moon is above the horizon for all or part of the event, then run it minute by minute on a flat map or rotatable 3D Earth.
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Lunar eclipse visibility calculator
Where can a lunar eclipse be seen?
A lunar eclipse is visible anywhere the Moon is above the horizon. This simulator combines the moving hemisphere from first to last contact, so the map shows where the entire event, greatest eclipse, or only part of the event is visible. Pick a point to calculate its whole-event coverage and the Moon's altitude at the selected time.
How to read the map
- The pale blue-green zone sees the entire event from P1 to P4.
- The teal zone includes greatest eclipse, but loses one end.
- The gray zone sees only part of the event.
- The dark zone cannot see the eclipse.
- The amber curve marks moonrise and moonset at the selected minute.
- The white marker is your selected observing point.
Why there is no narrow eclipse path
Earth's shadow falls on the Moon during a lunar eclipse. It does not trace a narrow band across Earth. Everyone on the Moon-facing side of the planet can watch at the same time, weather and local horizon permitting.
NASA data, live geometry
The event list uses NASA GSFC contact times, eclipse magnitudes, Saros numbers, and Moon-at-zenith coordinates for 2026 through 2028. At every sample, Astronomy Engine recalculates the Moon's apparent position, changing declination, distance, and Earth-fixed longitude. The spherical-Earth horizon includes lunar parallax. Atmospheric refraction and nearby terrain are not included.
Source: NASA GSFC Lunar Eclipses · Astronomy Engine.
Plan the date, then test the view
Lunar eclipse calculator FAQ
Where is a lunar eclipse visible?
A lunar eclipse is visible from the half of Earth where the Moon is above the horizon during the event. That broad region moves west as Earth rotates. Weather, buildings, terrain, and a very low Moon can still block the view.
What do the shaded areas on the eclipse map mean?
The pale blue-green area sees the eclipse from P1 through P4. Teal includes greatest eclipse but loses the beginning or end, gray sees only part of the event, and the dark area cannot see it. The amber boundary shows the Moon's geometric horizon at the selected time.
Does a lunar eclipse cast a shadow path on Earth?
No. During a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow falls on the Moon. The narrow totality paths shown on many eclipse maps belong to solar eclipses. A lunar eclipse can be watched across most of Earth's night side at once.
How accurate is the lunar eclipse calculator?
The contact times, eclipse magnitudes, and rounded Moon-at-zenith checks come from NASA GSFC. Astronomy Engine recalculates the Moon's apparent position and distance at each sample, and the spherical-Earth horizon includes lunar parallax. It does not model atmospheric refraction, local terrain, weather, or Earth's oblateness.
What are P1, U1, U2, U3, U4, and P4?
P1 and P4 mark the Moon entering and leaving Earth's faint penumbra. U1 and U4 mark entry into and exit from the dark umbra. During a total lunar eclipse, U2 and U3 mark the beginning and end of totality.
Eclipse predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC. Visibility uses a spherical Earth model and does not include weather, terrain, or atmospheric refraction. Earth texture © Solar System Scope, CC BY 4.0.