Topline
Did you see the solar eclipse and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower? Those two of 2026’s celestial highlights may now be over, but August’s stargazing highlights are not. Next comes a 96% ‘blood moon’ partial lunar eclipse that will dominate the night sky on Aug. 27-28. Although the event falls just short of becoming a total lunar eclipse, it will appear remarkably similar, with much of the moon taking on a striking reddish-orange glow — and North America is in prime position. Here’s when and where to watch the spectacular partial lunar eclipse.
Key Facts
On Aug. 27-28, a deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible across Europe, Africa, North America and South America. North and South America will enjoy the best views, with skywatchers able to follow the entire event from start to finish, weather permitting.
Unlike the solar eclipse on Aug. 12, no eye protection is required. Lunar eclipses are completely safe to observe with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes.
At maximum eclipse, 96.2% of the moon will be immersed in Earth’s dark central shadow, known as the umbra. Another key sight is watching the edge of Earth’s shadow gradually move across the lunar surface.
While a thin sliver will remain illuminated by direct sunlight, most of the lunar surface will appear dramatically darkened with a subtle reddish-orange glow — reminiscent of a total lunar eclipse seen across North America on March 3.
The eclipse will unfold gradually over 5 hours and 38 minutes, but the highlight will come at maximum eclipse at 12:12 a.m. EDT on Aug. 28, when the moon will appear at its most dramatic.
Why This Eclipse Is Special
Lunar eclipses occur only during a full moon, when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon. As sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface, blue light is scattered away while red wavelengths continue onward, bathing the moon in pinkish, copper and crimson tones. Because a tiny sliver of the moon will remain outside Earth’s central shadow, the Aug. 27-28 event is officially a partial lunar eclipse rather than a true “blood moon.” Even so, the difference will be subtle, with photographers and observers likely to witness a moon that looks remarkably close to totality. No more impressive lunar eclipse will occur until New Year’s Eve 2028, and in North America until June 26, 2029.
The Finale Of An Eclipse Season
Coming just over two weeks after the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, the Aug. 27-28 partial lunar eclipse provides a fitting conclusion to one of the year’s most exciting eclipse seasons. North and South America will enjoy the best experience, with the entire eclipse visible from beginning to end under clear skies. Maximum eclipse occurs at 12:12 a.m. EDT on Aug. 28 (9:12 p.m. PDT on Aug. 27). European observers will see the moon low in the western sky before dawn, creating dramatic opportunities to see and photograph the eclipsed moon above city skylines, coastlines and mountain landscapes as morning twilight begins.
The next eclipse season takes place in six months, when a “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse on Feb. 6 will be followed by a penumbral lunar eclipse on Feb. 20-21.