Full Breakdown
Near-Total Partial Lunar Eclipse — August 27-28 2026
8/28/2026, 2:05:27 AM
Core Event
On the night of August 27 – 28 2026 a deep partial lunar eclipse will sweep across the sky. At maximum, about 96 % of the Moon’s disk will be immersed in Earth’s umbral shadow, leaving only a thin sliver illuminated. The eclipse begins when the Moon first enters Earth’s faint penumbral shadow, progresses to the darker umbral phase, and ends when the Moon exits the penumbra. The event will be visible to the naked eye across most of North and South America, as well as parts of Europe, Africa and the Atlantic-Pacific region.
Background & Context
Lunar eclipses occur during the full-moon phase when Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. This eclipse follows the total solar eclipse of August 12 2026, illustrating the typical “eclipse season” in which a solar and a lunar eclipse appear within a few weeks of each other. Because the alignment is not perfectly straight, the Moon will only pass through part of Earth’s umbra, classifying the event as a partial eclipse, though the coverage is close enough to produce a “blood-moon” appearance.
Timeline (Eastern Time)
| Phase | Time (ET) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Penumbral start | 9:23 p.m. | Moon enters Earth’s outer shadow; dimming is subtle. |
| Partial start | 10:33 p.m. | Moon begins crossing the dark umbra; a noticeable “bite” appears. |
| Maximum eclipse | 12:12 a.m. (Aug 28) | ~96 % coverage; the Moon takes on a copper-red hue. |
| Partial end | 1:51 a.m. | Moon exits the umbra. |
| Penumbral end | 3:01 a.m. | Moon leaves Earth’s outer shadow; eclipse concludes. |
Official Statements & Responses
- NASA describes the event as a “near-total” partial eclipse, noting the red hue results from Rayleigh scattering.
- The National Weather Service in Pensacola forecasts 1–2 inches of rain with a 55 % chance of showers around 7 p.m., dropping to 49 % by 8 p.m.
- Chris Bianchi, senior meteorologist for *Colorado Sun*, estimates a 70-80 % chance of clear skies around peak, while warning that clouds in southern Colorado could impede the view.
On-the-Ground Reports
- Pensacola, Florida: Showers may deliver up to 2 inches of rain but are expected to taper off before peak.
- San Francisco Bay Area: Low-lying fog could obscure the Moon; inland sites such as Livermore may be clearer.
- Colorado Front Range: Light cloud cover overall, with higher risk south of the Palmer Divide.
- Mid-Michigan: Forecasts predict clear skies and temperatures in the 60 °F range.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Coverage percentage: NASA’s 96 % figure differs from Timeanddate’s 93 % and other outlets’ 96.2 % estimates.
- Peak timing: Most sources list the maximum at 12:12 a.m. ET, while a few regional outlets cite 11:13 p.m. CDT (equivalent to 12:13 a.m. ET).
- Weather outlooks: Local forecasts range from “mostly clear” (Mid-Michigan) to “potentially cloudy” (Pensacola, Bay Area).
What’s Next
The next total lunar eclipse visible from the United States is scheduled for June 25 2029. A partial lunar eclipse will occur in February 2027, followed by another in August 2027 (both penumbral). These future events provide additional opportunities for public skywatching and scientific outreach.
