August 27–28, 2026 Partial Lunar Eclipse

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What Makes This Eclipse Special

The August 2026 partial lunar eclipse stands out for several reasons that make it a must-see event for skywatchers across the Eastern Hemisphere.

Exceptionally High Magnitude

With an umbral magnitude of 0.932, this eclipse fell just short of being classified as total (which requires a magnitude of 1.0 or greater). At maximum, 6.8% of the Moon's diameter remained outside Earth's dark shadow. The result was a near-total eclipse: almost the entire lunar disk took on the deep red and copper tones of a Blood Moon, with just a thin bright sliver persisting along the northern edge.

This made the August 2026 eclipse the deepest partial lunar eclipse since November 19, 2021 (umbral magnitude 0.974), and the most dramatic umbral eclipse for observers in the Americas in several years.

Part of a Remarkable Eclipse Season

The August 2026 eclipse occurred 16 days after the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026. This is no coincidence, lunar and solar eclipses always come in pairs (or sometimes triplets) during what astronomers call an "eclipse season." The two-week gap reflects the time it takes the Moon to travel from one node of its orbit (where it crosses the ecliptic) to the opposite node. Eclipse seasons happen roughly every 173 days, and each one can produce one to three eclipses.

Prime-Time Viewing for the Americas

For observers across North and South America, the entire eclipse unfolded during convenient evening and overnight hours, maximum eclipse hit 9:13 p.m. in Los Angeles, 11:13 p.m. in Chicago, and just past midnight in New York. No alarm clock required. In western Europe and West Africa, the umbral phase played out in the pre-dawn hours of August 28, with the Moon descending low in the southwest.

No Total Lunar Eclipse Until 2028

There will not be another total lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth until December 31, 2028. The eclipses of 2027 are penumbral only, and the January 2028 eclipse is a very shallow partial. This makes the August 2026 event the most dramatic umbral lunar eclipse for over two years, another reason not to miss it.

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Exact Timing and Phases

A lunar eclipse unfolds through a series of well-defined contact points as the Moon moves through Earth's shadow. Understanding these phases helps you know what to look for and when.

Contact Definitions

Phase Timing (UTC)

Phase Durations

The umbral phase, the part where you can clearly see the dark shadow on the Moon, lasted about three and a quarter hours. That is a generous window for observation and photography. The penumbral phase is subtler; you may notice a slight dimming of the Moon before U1 and after U4, but it is the umbral phase that delivers the dramatic visual show.

What to Expect at Each Phase

P1 to U1 (1 hour 10 minutes): The Moon began to enter Earth's penumbral shadow. A very subtle dimming appeared along the southern edge of the lunar disk, though many observers perceived no change until minutes before U1.

U1 (02:33 UTC): The dark umbral shadow made its first contact with the Moon's southern limb. A distinct "bite" appeared on the Moon's edge, growing steadily over the next hour. The shadow edge is curved, this is Earth's shadow, and the curve is a direct demonstration that Earth is round.

Greatest eclipse (04:13 UTC): 93.2% of the Moon's diameter was covered. The eclipsed portion glowed red, orange, and copper due to refracted sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere. A thin bright sliver remained along the northern limb. This was the peak of the eclipse and the most visually striking moment.

U4 (05:52 UTC): The umbral shadow left the Moon entirely. The "bite" disappeared, though the penumbral shading lingered for another hour or so.

P4 (07:02 UTC): The eclipse was completely over. The Moon returned to its normal full brightness.

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Timing Table by Time Zone

Note: Times are converted from the UTC contact times (U1 02:33, maximum 04:13, U4 05:52 on August 28) and may vary by a minute or two with exact location.

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Visibility Map Description

The August 2026 partial lunar eclipse was visible in full from the Americas, with the pre-dawn edge of the visibility zone reaching western Europe and West Africa.

Fully Visible Regions

The entire umbral phase (U1 through U4) was visible from:

• North America: all of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the Moon high in the southern sky
• South America: the entire continent, from Colombia to Argentina
• Hawaii and the eastern Pacific
• Western Europe (Iceland, the British Isles, Iberia, western France) and West Africa, where the umbral phase ran to just before dawn with the Moon descending in the western sky

Moon-Rise During Eclipse

Moving eastward, moonset and dawn cut the show short: central and eastern Europe and much of Africa caught only the early umbral phases with the Moon sinking low, and from roughly Turkey eastward the eclipse was lost entirely.

Not Visible

The eclipse was not visible from Asia, Australia, or New Zealand, the Moon was below the horizon in daylight for the entire event. Hawaii and the Pacific sat at the center of the visibility zone instead.

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Magnitude and How Much of the Moon Will Be Covered

The umbral magnitude of this eclipse was 0.932. This means that at maximum eclipse, the Moon's limb extended 0.932 lunar diameters into Earth's umbral shadow, measured along the shadow's axis.

Visual Interpretation

In practical terms, here is what this means for observers:

• 93.2% of the Moon's diameter was within the umbra at maximum eclipse
• Nearly the entire disk except a thin northern sliver sat in shadow
• A thin, bright crescent remained visible along the Moon's northern edge
• The eclipsed portion displayed red, orange, and copper tones, the deeper into the umbra, the richer the color
• The contrast between the copper disk and the bright sliver made this one of the most photogenic partial eclipses possible

Why the Color Appears

The red coloring during a deep partial lunar eclipse is caused by the same mechanism as in a total eclipse. Sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere is refracted, bent, into the shadow. Short-wavelength light (blue, violet) is scattered away by atmospheric particles (Rayleigh scattering), while long-wavelength light (red, orange) passes through and illuminates the Moon. The amount and shade of red depends on atmospheric conditions: volcanic eruptions, dust, and wildfire smoke can deepen the color significantly.

Danjon Scale Estimate

Astronomers rate the brightness and color of lunar eclipses using the Danjon Scale, from L=0 (very dark, almost invisible Moon) to L=4 (very bright, orange-red with a bright blue edge). The August 2026 eclipse is expected to rate around L=2 to L=3, a deep red or rust-colored eclipse with the central umbra noticeably darker than the edges. This is a preliminary estimate; the actual Danjon number will depend on Earth's atmospheric conditions at the time.

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How to Watch: Equipment and Tips

Naked Eye Viewing

The simplest and often most satisfying way to watch a lunar eclipse is with your unaided eyes. Find a comfortable spot with a clear view of the sky, give your eyes 15–20 minutes to adapt to the darkness, and simply watch the show unfold. The slow, majestic progression of Earth's shadow across the Moon is a spectacle that connects you to the rhythms of the solar system.

Binoculars

A pair of binoculars dramatically enhances the experience. Even standard 7×35 or 10×50 binoculars will reveal:

• The sharp, curved edge of Earth's umbral shadow
• Subtle color gradients across the eclipsed portion
• Stars that become visible near the Moon as it dims

Telescope

A small to medium telescope (60mm–150mm aperture) provides the most detailed view. You will be able to see:

• Individual craters being swallowed by the advancing shadow
• Color variations within the umbra
• The precise moment of contact at U1 and U4 as the shadow touches individual features

Practical Checklist

• Check weather forecast 2–3 days ahead
• Find a viewing spot with minimal obstructions
• Bring warm clothing (even August nights get cool)
• Set up equipment 30 minutes before U1
• Allow eyes to dark-adapt
• Have a red flashlight to preserve night vision
• Bring snacks and water, the eclipse lasts several hours

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Photographing a Partial Lunar Eclipse

Camera and Lens Recommendations

Exposure Settings by Phase

Advanced Techniques

HDR and Exposure Bracketing: The enormous dynamic range between the bright uneclipsed sliver and the dark red shadow means no single exposure can capture both. Use exposure bracketing (3–5 shots at different exposures) and combine them in post-processing for an HDR image.

Composite Sequences: Mount your camera on a tripod and take one photo every 5–10 minutes throughout the eclipse. In post-processing, align the Moon images and arrange them in a horizontal or arc sequence showing the eclipse's progression. This is a classic and dramatic astrophotography technique.

Star Trails with Eclipsed Moon: Use a wide-angle lens (14–24mm) and take long exposures to capture the eclipsed Moon among the stars. The dimmed Moon during deep partial eclipse allows background stars to appear that would normally be washed out.

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How This Compares to the August 12 Total Solar Eclipse

Just fifteen days before this lunar eclipse, on August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse crosses the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain. These two eclipses form an eclipse pair, and comparing them highlights the stark differences between lunar and solar eclipses.

While the total solar eclipse is undeniably the more dramatic event, the partial lunar eclipse offers something the solar eclipse cannot: accessibility. Hundreds of millions of people will see the lunar eclipse simply by stepping outside, while the solar eclipse's totality will be witnessed by only those who travel to a very specific geographic strip.

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Upcoming Lunar Eclipses After This One

The August 2026 eclipse has passed. Looking ahead, here are the next several lunar eclipses:

The next total lunar eclipse is not until December 31, 2028, a New Year's Eve Blood Moon best seen from the Eastern Hemisphere, and the two penumbral eclipses of 2027 will be visually subtle, even for dedicated observers. The January and July 2028 partials are both shallow. For viewers in the Americas, the August 2026 event is the most impressive umbral lunar eclipse of this entire stretch.

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Explore More

• August 12 Total Solar Eclipse, The solar eclipse two weeks before.
• Perseid Meteor Shower 2026, Peak meteor shower August 12–13.
• 2026 Supermoon Dates, Supermoons starting in October.
• Moon Phases 2026, Full lunar calendar.