A total lunar eclipse painted the Moon a deep coppery red on Saturday, visible across Asia, Australia, the Pacific and the western Americas in the second such event of 2026. Astronomers said totality lasted well over an hour.

The eclipse occurred as the Moon passed completely into the Earth's umbra, the darkest part of its shadow. Sunlight refracted through the Earth's atmosphere gave the lunar surface its characteristic reddish hue, an effect popularly known as a 'blood moon'. The event required no special equipment to view safely.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich and NASA published timing charts by postcode and region, following widespread public interest in viewing the eclipse. Observers in eastern Australia and East Asia enjoyed the best conditions during evening hours, while western North America caught the event before dawn.

Cloud cover determined viewing success in many areas. Meteorological services across the affected regions issued localised sky-condition forecasts ahead of the event, while amateur astronomy societies organised public viewing sessions and livestreams for those under overcast skies.

A Royal Astronomical Society spokesperson said the eclipse offered an accessible entry point to astronomy. 'Everyone under clear skies on the night side of Earth can see this with the naked eye,' the spokesperson said, noting the next total lunar eclipse would not recur until 2028.