This is what to anticipate throughout every stage of the Aug. 27-28 partial lunar eclipse, as our planet’s colossal shadow swallows 96% of the moon’s floor for billions on the evening aspect of Earth.
August’s lunar eclipse is the closing act of a dramatic two-part present, the opening act of which started on Aug. 12 as the moon lined the face of the sun to set off a spectacular total solar eclipse over components of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.
Eclipses always come in pairs, however the phases to be anticipated throughout a lunar eclipse are staggeringly completely different from its photo voltaic equal. One main bonus of a lunar eclipse is that every stage unfolds concurrently for everybody on the evening aspect of Earth, the place the lunar disk is above the horizon. Nevertheless, the native time for every stage will differ primarily based in your location.
Lunar eclipses are additionally utterly protected to view with the bare eye, and even by a pair of binoculars of a telescope, which can provide a magnified view of the moon as Earth’s shadow sweeps throughout its cratered panorama.
Earth’s shadow is split into two concentric cones which might be solely seen throughout the transient window of a lunar eclipse. The outer penumbral cone casts a comfortable, extensive shadow, whereas the internal umbra reveals the distinct curve of Earth’s silhouette.
The 5 phases of the partial lunar eclipse August 2026
Stage 1: Earth’s penumbral shadow sweeps throughout the moon
The eclipse officially begins at 9:23 p.m. EDT on Aug. 27 (0123GMT on Aug. 28), as Earth’s outer penumbral shadow begins to cover the moon’s surface, according to TimeandDate.com.
Darkening of the lunar disk throughout this stage is extremely refined, turning into most obvious within the moments earlier than Earth’s internal shadow seems to rework August’s “Sturgeon Moon”, which is known as for the time of yr when the massive fish have been simply caught in North America.
Stage 2: Partial lunar eclipse begins
Earth’s inner umbral shadow will take its first “bite” out of the moon at 10:33 EDT on Aug. 27 (0233 GMT on Aug. 28), announcing the start of the partial phase of today’s deep lunar eclipse.
The umbral shadow will first appear as a small semicircle of shadow close to the dark expanses of Oceanus Procellarum (the Ocean of Storms) and Mare Humorum on the moon’s southwestern edge, before swiftly spreading to swallow the nearby moonscape.
This partial phase of a lunar eclipse is the only opportunity most of us will get to see the grand sweep of Earth’s silhouette with our own eyes, as our planet performs like a doll in a cosmic marionette, casting its shape in shadow against the backdrop of its natural satellite.
Stage 3: Maximum eclipse
The eclipse will reach its peak at 12:12 a.m. EDT (0412 GMT) on Aug. 28, as 96% of the lunar disk is smothered in Earth’s umbral shadow, leaving a dazzling crescent exposed to direct sunlight on the moon’s northern limb.
Around this time, you may notice a subtle red hue infuse the moon, as sunlight filtered through Earth’s atmosphere is refracted, or bent onto its floor. It could seem as if the sunshine from each sundown and dawn on Earth is concurrently hanging the lunar disk, revealing outstanding craters and darkish lunar seas despite the shadow protecting it.
Stage 4: Earth’s internal shadow slips from the moon
Earth’s inner umbral shadow will steadily retreat from the moon in the hours. The crimson hue that may have been visible at the height of the eclipse will gradually fade as the crescent of the lunar disk exposed to direct sunlight grows, and normality reasserts itself over the natural satellite.
The last vestige of Earth’s inner shadow will depart the lunar surface at 1:51 a.m. EDT (0551 GMT) on Aug. 28.
Stage 5: Earth’s outer shadow exits the Sturgeon Moon
Our planet’s outer penumbral shadow will disappear from the Sturgeon Moon shortly after at 3:01 a.m. EDT (0701 GMT), bringing the eclipse to an end. We won’t see another like it until New Year’s Eve 2028, when a total lunar eclipse will be visible across Asia, Australia and Europe
Eager to photograph August’s partial lunar eclipse? Then be sure to read our expert’s guide on how to photograph a lunar eclipse, together with a roundup of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography. You also needs to try our picks of the best binoculars and telescopes available in 2026, which provides you with a more in-depth take a look at the moon as Earth’s shadow swallows its historic floor.
Editor’s Notice: When you seize a photograph of the August lunar eclipse and need to share it with House.com’s readers, then please ship your picture(s), feedback, title and placement to spacephotos@area.com.
