Deep partial lunar eclipse to turn the moon blood-red across several continents

Friday 14 August 2026 - 16:00

By: Azzat Manal

Deep partial lunar eclipse to turn the moon blood-red across several continents

A striking celestial event is set to captivate skywatchers at the end of August, as a deep partial lunar eclipse is expected to transform most of the Moon into a vivid reddish-orange disk. The event will take place overnight from August 27 to 28, following a month already marked by a total solar eclipse and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

During the eclipse, approximately 96% of the Moon’s surface will enter Earth’s darkest shadow, making the phenomenon appear remarkably similar to a total lunar eclipse. The event will be visible from large parts of Europe, Africa and the Americas, as well as Scandinavia, Iceland, parts of Greenland, Antarctica and the eastern Pacific region.

The eclipse will reach its peak at approximately 4:12 a.m. GMT on August 28. At that moment, only a thin portion of the lunar surface will remain directly illuminated by sunlight, while most of the Moon will take on a deep orange-red glow.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be observed safely without special eye protection. Skywatchers will be able to view the phenomenon with the naked eye, while binoculars and telescopes may provide a more detailed view.

The reddish color results from the way sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon. The atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths more strongly, allowing more red and orange light to reach the lunar surface. This same atmospheric effect is responsible for the characteristic colors often seen during sunsets.

The eclipse will unfold over several stages. The penumbral phase is expected to begin at around 1:23 a.m. GMT, followed by the partial phase at approximately 2:33 a.m. The event will reach maximum depth shortly after 4:12 a.m., before the partial phase ends around 5:52 a.m. The final penumbral stage will conclude at about 7:02 a.m.

The entire astronomical event will last nearly five hours and 40 minutes, although the most visually dramatic portion will occur during the deep partial phase.

The unusual depth of the eclipse is expected to make it particularly interesting for astronomy enthusiasts. Although it will officially remain a partial lunar eclipse, the Moon’s coverage by Earth’s umbral shadow will approach the level normally associated with a total eclipse.

Visibility will vary depending on geographic location and local conditions. In some areas, the Moon may be close to the horizon during part of the event, potentially making observation more difficult. Clear skies and an unobstructed view of the western or eastern horizon, depending on location, will therefore be important for the best experience.

The late-August eclipse adds another major astronomical event to an already active summer skywatching season, offering observers across several continents an opportunity to witness one of the most dramatic lunar phenomena of 2026.