Penumbral lunar eclipse region on map (Source: NASA) The first penumbral lunar eclipse of 2016 ( first total solar eclipse was on March 8/9, 2016 ) will fall on March 23 this year. The 2016 penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible from most parts of Asia, Australia, North America and South America. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon and blocks sunlight from directly reaching the Moon. For penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon should be a full Moon, and the Sun, Earth and Moon must be imperfectly aligned in a straight line.