Rare 96% Blood Moon Eclipse This Week

A deep partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28 will push 96% of the moon into Earth's shadow.

A deep partial lunar eclipse will unfold overnight on August 27-28, 2026, during August's full Sturgeon Moon. The event will push roughly 96% of the moon into Earth's dark umbral shadow, making it one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year. Forbes notes that while the eclipse is not technically total, it comes very close, and the moon may take on a subtle copper or reddish-orange hue. The Bergen Record reports that most of the full moon will slip into Earth's shadow, darkening its familiar glow and potentially turning shades of copper, orange, and deep red.

The eclipse is classified as a deep partial rather than a total lunar eclipse because a small sliver of the moon will remain in direct sunlight. Space.com explains that at its peak, 96.2% of the lunar surface will be covered by Earth's dark umbral shadow, leaving only a slender portion illuminated. BBC Sky at Night Magazine notes that almost the entire Earth-facing side of the moon will display a rich, rusty red hue despite not being fully total. The Boston Globe adds that this near-miss actually creates a unique viewing experience, with a bright sliver contrasting against the reddened shadow across most of the lunar disk.

Maximum eclipse occurs at 12:12 a.m. EDT on Friday, August 28, according to Space.com, the Boston Globe, and BBC Sky at Night Magazine. The partial umbral phase begins at 10:33 p.m. EDT on August 27, with the penumbral phase starting at 9:23 p.m. EDT. The partial phase ends at 1:51 a.m. EDT. BBC Sky at Night Magazine also provides UK and European timings, where the event unfolds in the early morning of August 28 with the moon setting while the partial phase is still underway. The eclipse will be visible across North and South America, Europe, and Africa, weather permitting.

YourTango reports that the partial lunar eclipse on August 28 falls in Pisces, a sign ruling endings, the subconscious mind, and spirituality. According to YourTango, the eclipse squares Uranus, making it disruptive and unpredictable, and some relationships could end as Uranus seeks freedom at any cost. The Times of India's daily Nadi horoscope for August 25 notes the Moon in Capricorn combined with Tripushkar Yoga, which the publication says can multiply the effects of useful actions. YourTango also provides sign-by-sign love horoscopes, suggesting the eclipse may bring sudden shifts in partnerships for Virgo, Pisces, and several other signs.

The Glenside Local reports that the Elkins Park Skywatchers will host a public lunar eclipse observation on August 27 at High School Park in Cheltenham Township, featuring multiple telescopes and a NASA participation certificate. According to the Boston Globe, the eclipse is part of Saros 138, a series of eclipses repeating every 6,585 days, and represents the deepest partial in that series since 1918; the next one in 2044 will finally be total. Forbes notes that Saturn will shine nearby during the eclipse, and advises watching the curved edge of Earth's shadow crossing the moon as a visible demonstration that Earth is round. All sources confirm no special equipment is needed to view a lunar eclipse safely.

Forbes reports that Venus continues climbing toward peak brilliance, expected around mid-September, when it will become the third brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon. Looking further ahead, Forbes notes the September equinox on September 23 will bring rapidly lengthening nights and possibly a peak in auroral activity, followed by the full Harvest Moon on September 26. BBC Sky at Night Magazine recommends that casual observers need only look 30 minutes either side of greatest eclipse and should find a location with a clear southerly horizon, as the moon will track relatively low across the sky. The Elkins Park Skywatchers, per the Glenside Local, are also planning an International Observe the Moon Night on September 19.