Skywatchers across the Americas are preparing for a spectacular lunar eclipse on the night of August 27 into August 28, when Earth’s shadow will cover almost the entire face of the full Moon.
The event will be technically classified as a deep partial lunar eclipse, rather than a total eclipse. At its peak, about 96% of the Moon’s visible surface will be immersed in Earth’s darkest shadow, leaving only a narrow portion of the lunar surface directly illuminated by the Sun.
Americas to Get the Best View
The Americas are particularly well positioned because the Moon will remain high enough in the night sky for observers to follow much of the eclipse from beginning to end.
People across much of the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America will have an opportunity to watch the Moon gradually darken as Earth’s shadow moves across its surface. The eclipse will also be visible, at least in part, from large areas of Europe, Africa and western Asia.
The event is expected to last for more than five hours from the beginning of the eclipse to its conclusion, although the most dramatic portion will occur around the middle of the event. The maximum eclipse is expected shortly after midnight Eastern Daylight Time, when roughly 96% of the Moon will be inside Earth’s umbra.
Why Will the Moon Turn Red?
As the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow, it will not necessarily disappear completely.
Instead, much of its surface can take on a reddish, copper or orange appearance. This happens because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere is scattered and refracted toward the Moon. The atmosphere filters out much of the blue light while allowing longer red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface.
Because a small portion of the Moon will remain outside Earth’s darkest shadow, this event will not produce a classic total “blood moon.” However, with 96% of the lunar surface covered by the umbra, the visual effect could come remarkably close.
A Follow-Up to August’s Solar Eclipse
The lunar eclipse comes just two weeks after the August 12 total solar eclipse, which was visible across parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.
The two events are connected by the mechanics of eclipse seasons. Solar and lunar eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth and Moon reach the precise orbital alignment required for one celestial body to cast its shadow across another.
That makes August an unusually busy month for skywatchers, with the lunar eclipse effectively serving as the second major act following the month’s total solar eclipse.
How to Watch the Eclipse
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye. No special protective glasses or filters are required.
For the best experience, observers should find a location away from bright city lights and choose a spot with a clear view of the sky. Binoculars or a small telescope can provide a closer look at the changing colors and the sharp boundary between the illuminated and shadowed portions of the Moon.
Cloud cover will ultimately determine whether individual observers get a clear view.
For viewers in Europe and West Africa, the eclipse will be visible closer to moonset, meaning the Moon will appear relatively low on the western horizon. The Americas have a significant advantage because the Moon will be much better positioned in the sky during the main stages of the eclipse.
When Is the Next Total Lunar Eclipse?
For skywatchers hoping for a fully total lunar eclipse, the wait will be longer.
NASA lists the August 27–28, 2026 event as a partial lunar eclipse visible across the Americas, Europe, Africa and western Asia. The next total lunar eclipse is scheduled for December 31, 2028.
That makes the upcoming event particularly interesting: while it will not technically qualify as a total eclipse, the Moon will come remarkably close, with only a small fraction of its visible surface escaping Earth’s darkest shadow.
For millions of people across the Americas, the night of August 27–28 could therefore offer one of the year’s most striking opportunities to watch Earth’s shadow transform the Moon.
