About Partial Lunar Eclipse — Aug 28, 2026
A deep partial lunar eclipse arrives on the night of August 27–28, 2026, with about 93% of the Moon slipping into Earth's shadow at maximum — close enough to total that the Moon should glow with the eerie copper-red of a "blood moon" across most of its face. The countdown above targets mid-eclipse at 04:13 UTC.
Visibility favors the Americas, Europe, Africa and the eastern Pacific: observers in North and South America see the eclipse during the night of August 27 local time, while Europe and Africa catch it toward dawn on August 28. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye, binoculars or any telescope — no filters needed.
The red color comes from sunlight refracted through Earth's atmosphere — effectively the light of every sunrise and sunset on Earth projected onto the Moon at once. Eclipses come in pairs: this lunar eclipse follows the great total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026 by one fortnight, the two bookending a remarkable eclipse season for skywatchers.
FAQ
When is the next lunar eclipse?
A deep partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28, 2026, with maximum at 04:13 UTC — about 93% of the Moon in Earth's shadow.
Where will the August 2026 lunar eclipse be visible?
The Americas, Europe, Africa and the eastern Pacific — anywhere the Moon is above the horizon during the eclipse hours.
Is it safe to look at a lunar eclipse?
Completely — lunar eclipses need no eye protection and look great with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
Why does the Moon turn red?
Sunlight bending through Earth's atmosphere filters out blue light, bathing the eclipsed Moon in red — the combined glow of Earth's sunrises and sunsets.