Canadians in for a late-night celestial show with total lunar eclipse

FORT MCMURRAY, AB – Stargazers across Canada may have a chance to witness the only total lunar eclipse of the year late Thursday night and into Friday morning.

The eclipse, sometimes called a “Blood Moon,” will begin just before 10 p.m. MT on Thursday as the Earth’s shadow starts to creep across the moon’s surface. The full eclipse will reach its peak at 12:58 a.m. MT on Friday, bathing the moon in a deep orange or red hue.

Richard Covey, amateur astronomer and store manager at All-Star Telescope in Edmonton, says the event is worth staying up for.

“A total lunar eclipse is one of the most mesmerizing celestial events you can see with the naked eye,” Covey said. “You’ll watch the moon slowly fade from a bright, full disc into a thin crescent before it’s completely covered and turns that eerie red.”

The effect, he explains, is caused by the Earth’s atmosphere bending sunlight around the planet. Shorter wavelengths of light, like blue and violet, are scattered, while the longer red wavelengths pass through and illuminate the moon.

“The moon isn’t generating that red glow—it’s sunlight that has travelled through every sunrise and sunset on Earth before reaching the lunar surface,” he said.

While early forecasts suggest cloudy skies in some areas, Environment Canada says conditions could improve by the time the eclipse reaches totality.

For those who miss it, Covey says the next total lunar eclipse won’t happen until March 3, 2026.

“This is your last chance for a while,” he said. “The next total lunar eclipse won’t happen until March 3, 2026. If you’re even a little curious, it’s worth stepping outside for a look.”

The eclipse will be visible across most of North America, with prime viewing conditions expected in western Canada. No special equipment is needed to observe the phenomenon, though Covey says binoculars, or a telescope, allow for a closer look.