Limited Visibility for Australians
A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from the eastern-most parts of Australia on Friday night. Most of the country will miss the event, while a small fraction will see the final moments of the eclipse as the Moon rises.
Jonti Horner, an astronomer from the University of Southern Queensland, described this eclipse as a “non-starter” for most Australians. He explained that only those in the far east would catch a glimpse of the event.
“For those lucky enough to see it, the Moon will appear to be missing a sliver against the twilight sky as it moves out of Earth’s shadow,” Professor Horner said.
Figure 1: Australians will be treated to a partial eclipse on Friday Night
Even though this event is not a total eclipse, he said it serves as a preview for upcoming celestial events. He encouraged Australians to take the opportunity to observe the night sky and learn more about lunar cycles.
Where to Watch the Eclipse
The partial eclipse will be visible from locations east of a line drawn between Cairns and Hobart. The further east a person is, the more of the eclipse they will witness.
Byron Bay will experience the eclipse for about 40 minutes, while Brisbane will have visibility for around 30 minutes. The duration will be shorter in locations further west.
Expected Viewing Times
| Location | Moonrise (Local Time) | Eclipse Duration |
| Cairns | 6:34 PM AEST | 10 mins |
| Rockhampton | 6:16 PM AEST | 31 mins |
| Brisbane | 6:07 PM AEST | 30 mins |
| Byron Bay | 7:05 PM AEDT | 42 mins |
| Sydney | 7:16 PM AEDT | 31 mins |
| Canberra | 7:29 PM AEDT | 18 mins |
| Hobart | 7:34 PM AEDT | 13 mins |
Professor Horner advised observers to look directly to the east as the Sun sets in the west.
“The Moon rises during the partial eclipse, but it will still be low in the sky when it happens,” he said.
He noted that the low position of the Moon could make the event more photogenic. He suggested using long exposure photography to capture the Moon’s transition against the fading twilight.
Figure 2: Australia’s most easterly point Byron Bay will get the best glimpse of the partial lunar eclipse. [Getty Images: Noelia Ramon – TellingLife]
No “Blood Moon” for Australia
Australians will not see a “blood moon” during this event. The partial eclipse will only cause a small section of the Moon to darken.
“It just looks like the Moon has a chunk taken out of it,” Professor Horner said.
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The Moon will not appear red because of the amount of reflected moonlight.
Cloud cover could also impact visibility, so observers should check local weather forecasts. Those in coastal areas or higher elevations may have better chances of seeing the eclipse.
Figure 3: This is what the partial eclipse may look like from eastern parts of Australia.
Lunar Eclipse Explanation
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, with Earth casting a shadow on the Moon.
There are three phases of a lunar eclipse:
- Total Eclipse (Blood Moon): The Moon turns red as it passes completely into Earth’s shadow.
- Partial Eclipse: Part of the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow, appearing dark.
- Penumbral Eclipse: A subtle dimming occurs when the Moon enters Earth’s outer shadow.
The Americas will experience the total eclipse phase this time, which will not be visible in Australia.
Upcoming Eclipses in Australia
Australians will have more eclipse opportunities in the coming years.
A total lunar eclipse will occur on September 8, 2025, and will be visible across Australia.
“That’s an hour or so of the Moon being a blood moon,” Professor Horner said.
In March 2026, another total lunar eclipse will be visible in the early evening.
Australia will also experience total solar eclipses in 2028, 2030, 2037, and 2038.
“I don’t want people to go out and see this [lunar eclipse] and be disappointed and not go out for the others, which could be much, much better,” Professor Horner said.
Astronomers recommend using telescopes or binoculars to enhance the viewing experience. Observers should also consider moving away from city lights for better visibility.
Lunar eclipses have long fascinated cultures worldwide, including Indigenous Australian communities, who interpret celestial events in unique ways. For many, the Moon’s changing appearance holds deep cultural and spiritual significance.
