Full Breakdown
August 27-28 2026 Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse: Timing, Visibility, and Significance
6/6/2026, 11:43:47 AM
Event Overview
On the night of 27-28 August 2026 a deep partial lunar eclipse will occur, with 96 percent of the Moon’s disc entering Earth’s umbral shadow. The event will be the most substantial partial eclipse worldwide since 18 September 2024 and will remain the most impressive lunar eclipse until a total eclipse on 31 December 2028. The full “Sturgeon Moon” will rise and later be dimmed as it passes through the umbra.
Timing and Visibility
The eclipse begins at 01:23 GMT on 28 August and ends at 07:01 GMT, with maximum coverage at 04:12 GMT. In North America the peak occurs at 12:12 a.m. EDT (Friday), 11:12 p.m. CDT, 10:12 p.m. MDT, 9:12 p.m. PDT, and 8:12 p.m. AKDT on Thursday. In Europe the eclipse starts early Friday morning but sets before maximum, limiting observation to the rising portion.
Scale and Statistics
The partial phase will last 5 hours 38 minutes. Approximately 12 percent of the global population—987 million people—will witness all phases (penumbral and partial), while about 16 percent—1.3 billion people—will see the entire partial phase, according to Time and Date. The Moon’s apparent size will be average because the event occurs five days after apogee.
Context: Recent and Upcoming Lunar Eclipses
The August 2026 eclipse follows the deep partial event of 18 September 2024 and precedes the next total lunar eclipse on 31 December 2028, which will be visible across Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, and the Pacific. Additional total eclipses are scheduled for 25-26 June 2029 and 20-21 December 2029, offering broader geographic coverage.
Viewing Conditions and Geographic Reach
Best viewing odds are forecast for western United States, northern Chile, and inland Brazil, where historical cloud-free statistics are highest. Eclipse maps credit F. Espenak of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, while photographic assets include images by Laurie LaPorte (Getty Images) and WW News (Getty Images). Interactive maps are available from Michael Zeiler’s EclipseAtlas.com and Xavier Jubier’s Google-based eclipse site.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A deep partial lunar eclipse makes for an impressive skywatching event.” — Space.com editorial
- “27-28, 2026, event will be the first deep partial lunar eclipse anywhere in the world since Sept.” — Space.com editorial
- “During the August 2026 eclipse, the full "Sturgeon Moon" will rise and, later that night, pass into Earth's umbral shadow.” — Space.com editorial
- “The eclipse — including both the slight penumbral (when the moon drifts into Earth's fuzzy outer shadow) and partial phases — will last 5 hours, 38 minutes.” — Space.com editorial
What’s Next
The next total lunar eclipse on 31 December 2028 will provide a complete “blood moon” experience for observers across multiple continents. Detailed predictions, weather outlooks, and interactive maps are maintained by EclipseWise.com, EclipseAtlas.com, and eclipsophile.com, enabling enthusiasts to plan future observations.
