In this photograph you can see, in the first plane, a church, and in the background, the blood moon of the last eclipse of the moon. Photo taken in july, 2018

Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse 2018

A photo of the blood moon taken in July 2018.

Photo by: Miguel Angel Ortega / Getty

Miguel Angel Ortega / Getty

Watch the Super Flower Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse

By: Discovery

Those located in the Americas, Europe, or Africa can see this rare total lunar eclipse during the night of May 15, 2022.

May 12, 2022

The May full moon is also a supermoon, meaning it appears larger and brighter than a typical full moon. This event occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, known as the perigee.

About the blood moon

During a lunar eclipse, the moon can appear to have a reddish color. As some sunlight reaches the lunar surface by reflecting off the Earth's atmosphere, some colors in the light spectrum are filtered out through a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. Red wavelengths are not filtered out as much as other colors, hence why the fully eclipsed moon takes on a red glow.

How to Watch

There are no special glasses needed to view a lunar eclipse, unlike a solar eclipse which can cause eye damage. Anyone can look up into the sky to view the moon at night. A telescope is recommended to enhance the viewing experience. The eclipse will become visible around 10:30 PM ET on Sunday, May 15 when the moon crosses into Earth's shadow. The moon will become completely hidden by our planet's shadow shortly after midnight, for about an hour and a half.

Eclipse visibility map

Eclipse visibility map for the May 15-16, 2022 total lunar eclipse.

Photo by: NASA/JPL-CALTECH

NASA/JPL-CALTECH

Not in an ideal viewing area? Livestream the eclipse with Lowell Observatory this Sunday. Lowell Observatory will share live views of the eclipse as it approaches totality, using a TEC 5.5-inch refracting telescope at Lowell’s Giovale Open Deck Observatory. Lowell Observatory educators will also discuss the science of eclipses, the best ways to view them, Lowell’s history with the Moon, and more starting at 7:15P PDT from Flagstaff, Arizona.

Next Up

Do You Want to Go to Space?

Have you always dreamed of going to space? Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino answers our questions about life at the International Space Station.

Top 5 Reasons Why the “UFO Report” Isn’t Interesting to me, a Scientist

Excited by the prospects of the “UFO Report”? As a scientist, I have my doubts. But you can watch UFOS DECLASSIFED: LIVE on Discovery and Science June 30 at 8P where experts discuss what can and can't be explained.

The Super Flower Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse is Tonight

Early in the morning of May 26 most of the world will be able to look up and see a total lunar eclipse of the Super Flower Blood Moon.

Quiz: Test Your Space Exploration Knowledge

Ahead of the historic May 27th NASA and SpaceX crewed space launch, test your space exploration knowledge!

We Have Liftoff: Congratulations to NASA and SpaceX

Here's to NASA, SpaceX, Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, and all of the engineers, scientists, and staff involved with the Saturday, May 30th historical launch.

NFL SUPER STADIUMS Follows the Epic Journey of Building SoFi Stadium

In partnership with the NFL, Discovery and Science Channel go behind the scenes and follow the remarkable journey of constructing SoFi Stadium in an all-new, two-hour special, NFL SUPER STADIUMS premiering Wednesday, September 9 at 8P on Science Channel and Saturday, September 12 at 11A on Discovery.

The Top 5 Weirdest Moons of the Solar System

From the exotic to the just plain odd, our solar system is home to some of the most extreme worlds in the galaxy. But I’m not talking about the planets, I’m talking about their moons. Let’s take a look at the most strange...

China and Russia are Building Lunar Space Station Together

Recently announced, development for an international lunar space station is underway as China and Russia are joining together to build research facilities in orbit and possibly on the moon.

From the Moon to the Oval Office

As homage to the past Apollo Missions and a nod to the upcoming Artemis Program, NASA recently loaned the White House a lunar sample that has been placed in the President’s Oval Office. You can learn more about the Apollo missions and beyond on discovery+.

NASA's New Rocket is Taller than the Statue of Liberty

The massive space launch system was unveiled last week. Following successful completion of upcoming simulation tests, NASA will set a date for the first of the Artemis II lunar missions.

Live Now