The Moon will slide almost entirely into Earth’s darkest shadow late Thursday, August 27, delivering one of 2026’s most dramatic skywatching events—and much of the Americas will have a front-row seat.
At the eclipse’s peak, 96.3% of the lunar disk will be inside Earth’s umbra, the planet’s dark central shadow, according to NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio. That leaves only a narrow bright edge while most of the Moon takes on a dim copper or reddish-orange cast.
The event is a deep partial lunar eclipse, not a total one. But with so little of the Moon remaining outside the umbra, the difference may look surprisingly small at a glance.
When the eclipse reaches its peak
Greatest eclipse arrives at approximately 4:13 a.m. UTC on Friday, August 28. Across the continental United States, that translates to:
- 9:13 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Thursday, August 27
- 10:13 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time
- 11:13 p.m. Central Daylight Time
- 12:13 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, August 28
The eclipse unfolds over several hours, so viewers do not need to catch a single fleeting moment. Still, the period around maximum eclipse will offer the most striking view, with the Moon at its darkest and the illuminated sliver at its thinnest.
NASA’s August skywatching guide says the eclipse will be visible from much of North and South America, along with portions of Europe and Africa. Alaska and northwestern Canada are outside the best viewing zone for the deepest phase.
Why the Moon may turn copper-colored
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon line up closely enough for Earth’s shadow to fall across the lunar surface. The darkest part of that shadow is the umbra.
Even inside the umbra, the Moon does not necessarily vanish. Some sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere, where shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more strongly. The remaining red and orange light can reach the Moon and give the eclipsed portion its familiar rusty glow—the same basic atmospheric filtering that colors sunrises and sunsets.
Because this eclipse stops just short of totality, viewers should expect an unusual contrast: a broad, muted copper surface beside a slim, much brighter crescent.
No eclipse glasses are needed
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch directly. No eclipse glasses or special filters are required. Clear skies and an unobstructed view of the Moon are the essentials.
Binoculars can bring out the curved boundary of Earth’s shadow, while a small telescope may reveal craters fading into darkness as the eclipse progresses. A phone or camera placed on a stable surface can also capture the change, though the Moon’s brightness may require lowering exposure.
For the best experience, find a location away from bright streetlights and check the local forecast before heading out. NASA’s Moon observation page also lists the peak time and visibility details.
A rare near-total show
The Associated Press reports that nearly 1 billion people across the United States, Canada and Latin America could see every phase of the eclipse if weather cooperates, while more than 3 billion people may witness at least part of it.
This is the second lunar eclipse and fourth eclipse of 2026, according to NASA’s eclipse catalog. The next total lunar eclipse is not expected until December 31, 2028.
Thursday night’s event may not earn the technical label “blood moon,” but with 96.3% of the Moon immersed in shadow, it should come remarkably close in appearance—and it asks only that viewers step outside and look up.
