An Almost Total Lunar Eclipse Arrives on August 28th

• A deep partial lunar eclipse will occur on the night of August 28th (Universal Time), with the best visibility across the Americas.
• This event marks the final eclipse of 2026 and the end of the second eclipse season of the year.

Eclipse Timeline

• Total duration (including penumbral phases): Just under 5 hours and 38 minutes.
• Penumbral phase: Starts at 1:23 UT (August 28th) / 9:23 PM EDT (August 27th).
• Partial phase: Starts at 2:34 UT / 10:34 PM EDT.
• Maximum partial eclipse: Occurs at 4:14 UT / 12:14 AM EDT, with the Moon 93% immersed in Earth’s umbral shadow.

What to Expect

• Visual changes: About 30 minutes into the penumbral phase, the Moon will take on a tea-colored cast.
• Colors: Look for a blood-red tint on the lower southern limb of the Moon, caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere, and a subtle bluish ozone fringe near the edge of the shadow.
• Visibility: Favorable for the Americas. Europe and Africa will see the end at moonset, while the central Pacific sees the start at moonrise.

Context and Significance

• This is the final partial eclipse for lunar saros series 138; the series' first total eclipse will occur on September 7th, 2044.
• The Virtual Telescope Project plans to broadcast the event live starting at 1:30 UT.
• This event serves as a precursor to the next total lunar eclipse, which is scheduled for December 31st, 2028.