Week of Aug. 23-29, 2026
On the night of Thursday, Aug. 27, the total moon will rise within the east because it does nearly each month. It will not take lengthy, nevertheless, for it to start wanting somewhat unusual.
Common readers of this column know that the total moon happens when the moon lies on the alternative facet of the sky from the solar. When this occurs, it additionally finds itself close to the shadow being forged into house by our planet.
Nearly each six months or so, the moon will drift into this shadow and produce a lunar eclipse. If it passes completely into the shadow, it creates a complete eclipse, but when it skims solely partly via it, a partial lunar eclipse is the end result.
We do not see an eclipse each six months, although, since this shadow passage could happen when the moon is not above our horizon. On Aug. 27, nevertheless, it is going to be, and that evening we in North America can be handled to a deep partial lunar eclipse.
Look ahead to the moon’s japanese edge to start coming into into the Earth’s darkish interior shadow (the “umbra”) at 10:33 p.m. EDT (7:33 p.m. PDT). Skywatchers in western North America will see the moon fairly low within the japanese sky when the eclipse begins.
Over the subsequent hour and a half or so, the eclipse will progress because the moon drifts deeper into the Earth’s shadow, till round 12:13 a.m. EDT (9:13 p.m. PDT) when it is going to be about 93% obscured.
From this time on, the moon will start leaving the shadow and can exit completely — its “final contact” — round 1:52 a.m. EDT (10:52 p.m. PDT).
In contrast to a photo voltaic eclipse, an eclipse of the moon is completely secure to view with out protecting filters — it’s, in any case, solely the moon. All you want is your eyes, although viewing with binoculars or a small telescope may be enjoyable as effectively. And, in contrast to many fainter celestial phenomena, you can watch this occasion from a metropolis.
If you may get away from metropolis lights to view from a darkish, non-light-polluted surroundings, nevertheless, you may see much more of the present. Although it will not be a complete eclipse, the darkened portion of the moon should tackle a deep, coppery colour as reddened daylight streams via the Earth’s ambiance and falls onto the shadowed lunar floor.
These viewing from beneath darkish skies may even see the moon suspended eerily among the many stars throughout most eclipse — one thing metropolis viewers will miss.
To study extra about this partial lunar eclipse, get actual timings in your location, and even watch it being livestreamed, go to timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2026-august-28. And if you would like to attempt your hand at photographing the sky present, go to Fred Espenak’s nice webpage mreclipse.com/Particular/LEprimer.html, or do a web-based seek for “tips on how to {photograph} a partial lunar eclipse”.
After the eclipse, remember to go to spaceweather.com to see some terrific pictures shot from all over the world.
This is hoping for clear skies the place you’re, however in the event you miss it, the subsequent lunar eclipse seen from all of North America can be solely a really small partial eclipse in January of 2028.
On Aug. 27, a deep partial lunar eclipse will happen.
Go to Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. To learn options by different Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, go to the Creators Syndicate web site at www.creators.com.
On Aug. 27, a deep partial lunar eclipse will happen.
