96% 'Almost Blood Moon' Stuns Skywatchers

The deepest partial lunar eclipse until 2028 turned the Moon crimson, with astrologers calling it.

The August 27–28 partial lunar eclipse was not technically total, but it came remarkably close. Space.com reports that at maximum eclipse, 96.2% of the Moon slipped into Earth's dark central shadow, the umbra, leaving only a thin sliver brightly illuminated. The outlet describes much of the Moon taking on a rusty red hue, creating what observers widely called an "almost blood moon." According to Space.com, the partial phase lasted over three hours, and the entire event — including the fainter penumbral shadow — ran roughly five hours and 38 minutes before concluding at 3:01 a.m. EDT.

According to Space.com, this event was the deepest partial lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth until December 31, 2028, making it a rare must-see for skywatchers. KCTV echoed that framing, reporting that the eclipse was the deepest partial lunar eclipse visible from anywhere on the planet until that same 2028 date. KCTV noted that at maximum eclipse, around 11:12 p.m. local time in Kansas, over 96% of the Moon entered the umbra. Both outlets emphasized that even though totality was not reached, the visual impact rivaled a full blood moon for many observers.

TODAY.com's astrologer Lisa Stardust writes that the lunar eclipse in Pisces occurred on August 27 at 9:12 p.m. PT and August 28 at 12:12 a.m. ET, marking the end of summer and a transition into cooler months. Stardust says the Moon in Pisces aspects Mercury in Virgo and Uranus in Gemini, creating tension that pushes people toward immediate decisions. W Magazine adds that Pisces, as the last sign of the zodiac, signals the end of a cycle, forcing whatever has been sitting in the subconscious to the surface. W Magazine describes the eclipse as a supercharged full moon that demands surrender and release.

According to TODAY.com, the mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces — will feel the eclipse's impact most intensely because the Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Uranus all occupy mutable-energy signs. Stardust writes that Gemini may see professional shifts and networking opportunities, Virgo could experience a surge of creativity and collaboration, Sagittarius faces emotional balancing around family and partnerships, and Pisces undergoes the greatest transformation of self. W Magazine separately notes that every sign receives a distinct theme, from Aries releasing what holds them back to Aquarius re-evaluating core values.

BBC Sky at Night Magazine gathered reader-submitted images from across the UK, Europe, and the Americas, including a composite from Sicily and a striking shot taken through a bathroom-window tap in Essex. Space.com showcased photos from Phoenix, Charlotte, Sicily, and North Macedonia, where Saharan dust and cloud partially obscured the red phase. KCTV reported that the Astronomical Society of Kansas City hosted a watch party at Powell Observatory, handing out Moon Pies under clear skies, with vice president Mitch Cloud calling the night "such a fun night planned" and emphasizing the joy of sharing the sky with the public.

The Times of India reports that in the Hindu tradition, a Chandra Grahan is a period of spiritual sensitivity, with devotees encouraged to chant mantras, protect stored food with Tulsi leaves, and bathe after the eclipse. The outlet notes that Sutak restrictions do not apply in India for this eclipse because it is not visible there, though observers abroad should check local visibility. Looking ahead, Space.com and KCTV both point to December 31, 2028, as the next comparably deep partial lunar eclipse. In the nearer term, TODAY.com notes this Pisces eclipse closes out a summer eclipse season, leaving observers to process its emotional and celestial residue.