Near-Total Lunar Eclipse Aug. 27 Is Deepest Until 2028

A deep partial lunar eclipse overnight Aug. 27-28 will be the deepest visible until 2028, turning the moon copper-red.

Overnight on Aug. 27-28, 2026, a deep partial lunar eclipse will sweep across the Americas, darkening the August full moon in a spectacle multiple outlets are calling one of the year's must-see skywatching events. According to Space.com, 96.2% of the moon will slip into Earth's umbra — the planet's dark central shadow — while the Montgomery Advertiser, citing NASA, reports that about 93% of the moon's diameter will be inside that shadow at maximum eclipse. Space.com adds that the eclipse will be visible, at least in part, from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and parts of western Asia, weather permitting.

What sets this eclipse apart is its extraordinary depth. According to Space.com, it is the deepest partial lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth until Dec. 31, 2028 — a wait of more than two years for anything comparable. Though officially classified as partial rather than total, the near-total coverage means only a thin sliver of the lunar surface will remain directly illuminated by the sun, Space.com reports, while the rest of the moon may take on a deep reddish-orange hue. The Bergen Record notes that about 93% of the moon is expected to pass through Earth's umbral shadow, giving it the reddish appearance commonly associated with a blood moon.

The blood moon effect arises from Earth's atmosphere filtering sunlight. According to WROK 1440 AM, Earth positions itself directly between the sun and moon, blocking much of the sunlight that normally illuminates the lunar surface; some sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, which scatters away blue light and allows red and orange light through. Yahoo, citing Storm Team 4 meteorologist Ben Gelber, explains that longer wavelengths of visible light — like red and orange — make it through the atmosphere while shorter light waves scatter away. Gelber likens the effect to a simultaneous sunrise and sunset happening around the entire edge of Earth, with the reddish light reaching the moon and reflecting back toward viewers.

Across the Central time zone, the Montgomery Advertiser, the Peoria Journal Star, and WROK 1440 AM all report the same schedule, citing Time and Date: the penumbral eclipse begins at 8:23 p.m. CT on Aug. 27, the partial phase begins at 9:33 p.m., and maximum eclipse arrives at 11:12 p.m. The partial phase ends at 12:51 a.m. and the penumbral phase ends at 2:01 a.m. on Aug. 28. For the Eastern time zone, AOL.ca reports the eclipse begins at 9:23 p.m. on Aug. 27, peaks at 12:12 a.m. on Aug. 28, and ends at 3:01 a.m., while Yahoo notes the partial phase begins around 10:33 p.m. and ends around 1:51 a.m.

Unlike August's solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse poses no danger to the eyes. The Bergen Record reports that observers can watch the entire event with the naked eye from start to finish, and no eclipse glasses or protective filters are needed. The Montgomery Advertiser echoes this, noting that binoculars or a telescope can provide a closer look at the moon as Earth's shadow moves across it but are not necessary for enjoying the show. The Peoria Journal Star recommends finding a dark location away from light pollution, giving your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark, and avoiding phone screens or bright lights during viewing. Dressing for the weather and bringing a blanket or reclining chair can make a long night more comfortable.

The eclipse coincides with August's full Sturgeon Moon, a name AOL.ca, citing the Old Farmer's Almanac, traces to the lake sturgeon native to the Great Lakes and traditionally a key food source for Indigenous tribes during this summer season. The Montgomery Advertiser adds that the name comes from Indigenous and colonial-era traditions for naming full moons based on seasonal changes and natural events. Looking ahead, Yahoo, citing Gelber, notes that central Ohio's next partial lunar eclipse will occur on Jan. 12, 2028, though two visible total lunar eclipses are expected in Columbus in 2029 — on June 25-26 and Dec. 20.