So, you’re looking up at the night sky and wondering: is there a lunar eclipse today? Honestly, it’s a question that hits a lot of us whenever the moon looks a little "off" or extra bright. If today is Saturday, January 17, 2026, the short answer is no. You won't see the moon turn red tonight.
But don't put those binoculars away just yet.
While the sky is quiet right now, 2026 is actually shaping up to be a massive year for people who love staring at the heavens. We're basically entering a "golden age" of eclipses. If you’re disappointed that you missed out today, just wait a few weeks. The universe is about to get very busy.
Is There a Lunar Eclipse Today? Not Quite, But It's Coming
Seriously, the timing of your search is almost perfect. We are currently sitting in that quiet, anticipatory gap right before a major celestial season kicks off.
The first big event of the year isn't actually a lunar eclipse; it's a solar one. On February 17, 2026, an annular solar eclipse (that famous "Ring of Fire") will cross over Antarctica. Unless you're a scientist at a research station or a very adventurous penguin, you probably won't see that one in person.
However, the real show for the rest of us happens just two weeks later.
Mark your calendar for March 3, 2026. That is the date of the next total lunar eclipse. This is the big one—the "Blood Moon." It’s when the Earth slides directly between the sun and the moon, casting a deep, copper-red shadow across the lunar surface. It’s eerie, beautiful, and way better than any filter you’ll find on social media.
Why You’re Hearing About Eclipses Right Now
You might be seeing headlines or hearing whispers about an eclipse today because the news cycle starts early for these things. NASA and groups like the U.S. Naval Observatory track these patterns decades in advance.
Right now, astronomers are getting hyped because 2026 features two lunar eclipses:
- March 3, 2026: A total lunar eclipse (visible across much of North and South America, Asia, and Australia).
- August 28, 2026: A partial lunar eclipse (visible in the Americas, Europe, and Africa).
If you feel like the moon looks weird tonight, it might just be the "Earthshine" or a trick of the atmosphere. Sometimes, high-altitude ice crystals or dust can make the moon look hazy or give it a halo, which people often mistake for the start of an eclipse.
The Science of the "Blood Moon"
When the total lunar eclipse finally arrives in March, it won't just go dark. It turns red. Why? Basically, it’s because of Earth’s atmosphere.
Imagine all the sunrises and sunsets happening around the world at the exact same moment. That light gets bent (or refracted) by our atmosphere and projected onto the moon. It’s kind of like the Earth is acting as a giant lens. If our planet had no atmosphere, the moon would just disappear into blackness during an eclipse.
Fred Espenak, a retired NASA astrophysicist often called "Mr. Eclipse," has documented how the color can vary from bright orange to a dark, moody brown depending on how much dust or volcanic ash is floating in our air.
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How to Prepare for the 2026 Eclipse Season
Since the answer to is there a lunar eclipse today is "not today," you have plenty of time to get ready for the real deal. You don’t need fancy equipment. Unlike solar eclipses, which can literally fry your retinas if you aren't careful, lunar eclipses are 100% safe to look at with the naked eye.
- Find a dark spot: While you can see a lunar eclipse from a city, the colors pop way more if you get away from streetlights.
- Check the weather: This is the ultimate "eclipse killer." Even a total eclipse looks like nothing if it's behind a thick layer of clouds.
- Grab some tech: Apps like SkySafari or Stellarium can show you exactly where the moon will be in your local sky when the shadow starts to bite.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common myth is that lunar eclipses happen every month during the full moon. They don't. The moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit around the sun. Most of the time, the moon passes slightly above or below Earth's shadow. It’s only when the "nodes" align that we get the spectacular show.
What to Watch for Tonight Instead
Even without an eclipse, the sky on January 17, 2026, is pretty cool. The moon is currently in its waning phase, heading toward a new moon later in the month. This makes it a great night for "deep sky" observing because the moon isn't bright enough to wash out the stars.
If you have a clear view of the south, look for Jupiter. It’s been shining incredibly bright in the winter sky lately. You can actually see its four largest moons with a basic pair of 10x50 binoculars. It looks like a tiny solar system right in your backyard.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on local astronomical societies. They usually host "star parties" during the actual eclipse dates. It's a lot more fun to watch the moon turn red with a group of people who can explain exactly what's happening in real-time.
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For now, rest easy knowing you haven't missed the main event. The "Blood Moon" of 2026 is still a few weeks away, giving you plenty of time to find the perfect viewing spot and hope for clear skies.
Next Steps for Skywatchers:
Check a reliable local astronomy site or an app like Time and Date to find the exact minute the March 3rd eclipse starts in your specific time zone. If you're planning to photograph it, start practicing your long-exposure shots on the full moon now, as the "Blood Moon" phase will require much slower shutter speeds to capture that dim, red glow.