20th February 2026 – (Hong Kong) A total lunar eclipse will be visible in Hong Kong on the evening of Tuesday, 3rd March, offering skywatchers the chance to observe the phenomenon with the naked eye, provided weather conditions are favourable and there is a clear view towards the eastern horizon.
The eclipse will already be under way before the moon rises at 6.22pm, by which time part of the lunar surface will have entered the Earth’s umbra. The total phase is set to commence at 7.04pm, when the moon becomes fully immersed in the Earth’s shadow. Maximum eclipse will occur at 7.34pm, with the total phase concluding at 8.03pm, lasting 59 minutes in total.
During this period, the moon is expected to take on a subdued reddish glow rather than disappearing entirely. This effect occurs because shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight are scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere, while the remaining red light is bent and cast onto the lunar surface.
The moon will rise at an elevation of minus one degree at 83 degrees azimuth (east). At the start of totality at 7.04pm, it will be nine degrees above the horizon at 87 degrees azimuth. By the time of maximum eclipse at 7.34pm, it will reach 15 degrees at due east (90 degrees). When totality ends at 8.03pm, the elevation will be 22 degrees at 93 degrees azimuth. The moon will leave the umbra at 9.18pm at 38 degrees elevation (101 degrees azimuth), and the entire eclipse will conclude at 10.25pm at 53 degrees elevation in the east‑southeast (112 degrees azimuth).
Earlier stages of the event, including the moon’s entry into the penumbra at 4.43pm and into the umbra at 5.50pm, will not be visible locally as the moon will still be below the horizon.
For those unable to observe in person, a live webcast will be available on the night. The broadcast is being jointly organised by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and the Creative Education Unit of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.
Residents are advised to consult the Observatory’s nine‑day weather forecast and its dedicated webpage on astronomical observation conditions for the latest updates. The next lunar eclipse visible in Hong Kong will be a penumbral eclipse on 21 February 2027.