Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse on August 27–28, 2026: When & Where to See
On August 27–28, 2026, a deep partial lunar eclipse will cover about 96% of the Moon at maximum — making it look almost total, but not quite a Blood Moon. The best views will be in the Americas, especially eastern and central North America, Central America, and South America, while parts of Europe and Africa will see the eclipse low near the moonset. The entire eclipse will last for more than five hours, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 04:12 UTC on August 28. Use Sky Tonight to check the visibility and exact eclipse times for your location.
Contents
- Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 At a Glance
- Partial Lunar Eclipse in August 2026: Visibility Map
- Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in North America: USA, Canada, Mexico
- Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
- Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in Europe: UK, Spain, France, Portugal
- Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in Africa: Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria
- Is the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Visible in Asia or Australia?
- Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026: Visibility & Local Times for Major Cities
- Is the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Visible From My City?
- Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Date and Time for Different Timezones
- Best Tips for Watching the Partial Lunar Eclipse in August 2026
- Best Tips for Photographing the Partial Lunar Eclipse in August 2026
- What to See Near the Eclipsed Moon on August 27–28, 2026?
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the next lunar eclipse?
- What time is the partial lunar eclipse 2026?
- Where is the August 2026 lunar eclipse visible?
- Is the August 2026 lunar eclipse visible in the USA?
- Is the August 2026 lunar eclipse visible in the UK?
- How long will the August 2026 lunar eclipse last?
- Is the August 2026 lunar eclipse a Blood Moon?
- How deep will the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse be?
- Will the Moon turn red during the partial lunar eclipse 2026?
- Do I need eclipse glasses to watch the partial lunar eclipse in August 2026?
- Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026: Bottom Line
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 At a Glance
- Eclipse type: Deep partial lunar eclipse
- Date: August 27–28, 2026
- Maximum eclipse time: August 28, 04:12 UTC/GMT
- Partial eclipse time: 02:33 – 05:52 UTC/GMT
- Partial eclipse duration: 3 hours 19 minutes
- Overall eclipse time: 01:23 – 07:01 UTC/GMT
- Overall eclipse duration: 5 hours 38 minutes
- Where to see: best in the Americas; partly visible in Europe and Africa
- Will the Moon turn red: Part of the Moon may look reddish or coppery, but it won’t be a full Blood Moon
- Is it safe to watch: Yes, no eclipse glasses needed
Visibility recap: If you’re in the Americas, this is one of the best lunar events of 2026 to watch. If you’re in Europe or Africa, plan for a low Moon and find a clear western horizon. For most of Asia or Australia, the Moon will be below the horizon during the main stages of the eclipse.
Partial Lunar Eclipse in August 2026: Visibility Map
Looking for the “lunar eclipse path”? Lunar eclipses don’t have a narrow path like solar eclipses. If the Moon is above your horizon during the event, you can see the eclipse. The map below shows where the entire eclipse is visible, where the Moon rises or sets during the eclipse, and where the event cannot be seen at all.
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Across much of North America, as well as parts of Central America, South America, Greenland, and Antarctica, you’ll see the whole eclipse. The Moon will first dim slightly, then a dark “bite” will grow across its disk. At maximum, about 96% of the Moon will be covered. It won’t become a full Blood Moon, but most of the disk may look dark reddish, brownish, or coppery, with a small bright edge left.
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In western North America and parts of the Pacific, the Moon will rise while the eclipse is already happening. You may miss the beginning, but you can still see the Moon rise already partly darkened.
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In Europe and Africa, the Moon will set while the eclipse is in progress. You may see the Moon low in the western sky with a dark bite on its disk. The farther west you are, the deeper a stage of the eclipse you may catch before moonset; farther east, you may see only a small bite or a faint dimming before the Moon disappears below the horizon.
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In parts of Oceania, the western Pacific, and western Asia, the eclipse will be very subtle. You may see only a slight dimming of the Moon, with no clear dark bite and probably no red color.
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In Australia and much of Asia — including India, China, Southeast Asia, and most of Russia — the eclipse will not be visible because the Moon will be below the horizon.
Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in North America: USA, Canada, Mexico
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The entire eclipse will be visible across much of central and eastern North America. This includes cities such as New York, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami, Houston, Dallas, Mexico City, and Havana. From these locations, you’ll see the Moon go through the whole event: first a faint dimming, then a dark “bite” growing across the lunar disk, then the deepest phase, and finally the Moon returning to normal. At maximum, about 96% of the Moon will be covered; most of the disk may look dark reddish, brownish, or coppery, with a small bright edge left.
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The maximum phase of the partial eclipse will be visible from much of western North America, including cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Las Vegas, and Calgary. Here, the Moon may rise while the eclipse is already underway, so you might miss the very beginning. But you can still see the most impressive part: the Moon looking almost fully covered, with a possible reddish or coppery tint on the darkened part.
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Only part of the partial eclipse will be visible from the far western edge of North America and nearby Pacific regions, including parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and the Aleutian Islands. There, the Moon will rise later in the eclipse, so observers may miss the maximum phase. Some locations may catch the Moon still partly covered by Earth’s dark shadow; others may see only a faint dimming as the eclipse comes to an end.
Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
Across almost all of South America — including Buenos Aires, Santiago, Montevideo, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Lima, Bogotá, Quito, Caracas, La Paz, and Asunción — the entire eclipse will be visible from start to finish. The Moon will stay above the horizon throughout the event, so observers will see it dim slightly, then watch a dark “bite” grow until about 96% of the disk is covered. At maximum, the Moon may look mostly dark reddish, brownish, or coppery, with a small bright edge left.
Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in Europe: UK, Spain, France, Portugal
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The deepest stages will be visible in western Europe, including Lisbon, Madrid, Dublin, London, Paris, and Reykjavík. The Moon will be low in the western sky, because the eclipse happens close to moonset in Europe. You may see a large part of the lunar disk covered by Earth’s shadow, and the darkened area may look reddish, brownish, or coppery. The Moon will not turn completely red.
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Central Europe will see the eclipse low in the sky, including Amsterdam, Brussels, Zurich, Milan, and nearby areas. The Moon will be close to setting, so the view may be short and easy to lose behind buildings, hills, trees, or haze. If the Moon is still above your horizon during the deeper stages, you may see a large part of the lunar disk covered by Earth’s shadow. A faint red or coppery tint is possible, but don’t expect a bright red Moon — the Moon will be low, and the color may be subtle.
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Farther east in Europe, including Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest, Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, the maximum phase will not be visible. The Moon will set before the eclipse reaches its deepest point, so observers may see only an earlier part of the partial eclipse, a slight darkening of the lunar disk, or a faint dimming before the Moon disappears below the horizon.
Where to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 in Africa: Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria
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The best African views will be in the west and northwest, including Dakar, Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, Nouakchott, Banjul, Conakry, and Freetown. There, the Moon should still be above the western horizon during the deeper part of the eclipse. A large area of the lunar disk may be darkened, and that shadowed part can take on a reddish, brownish, or coppery color. Still, this is not a total lunar eclipse, so the Moon will not become fully red.
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Farther south and closer to the center of the continent, including Lagos, Accra, Abidjan, Kinshasa, Luanda, Windhoek, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, the eclipse will be a shorter, lower-horizon event. You may see part of the Moon covered before it sets. A reddish or coppery tint is possible if the Moon is still above the horizon during the deeper stages, but the color may be hard to notice when the Moon is very low.
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In eastern and northeastern Africa, including Cairo, Khartoum, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam, Mogadishu, and Antananarivo, the view will be the most limited. The Moon may set before the eclipse becomes deep enough to look red. In many places, you may see only a slight darkening or faint dimming near the moonset.
Is the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Visible in Asia or Australia?
For most of Asia and Australia, the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse will not be visible. The Moon will be below the horizon during the eclipse across much of Asia — including India, China, Southeast Asia, and most of Russia — as well as across Australia. This means observers there won’t see the Moon darken in the sky. If you really want to see or photograph the eclipse in person, consider planning a trip to one of the regions with better visibility, such as the Americas, western Europe, or western Africa.
The easiest way to follow the event is to watch it online. Timeanddate will host a live stream of the August 27–28, 2026 partial lunar eclipse, so you can still watch the Moon enter Earth’s shadow in real time even if the eclipse isn’t visible from your location. You can watch it here: LIVE Stream: Partial Lunar Eclipse August 27–28, 2026.
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026: Visibility & Local Times for Major Cities
The deepest moment of the eclipse occurs at 04:12 UTC/GMT on August 28, but the view will not be the same everywhere. The table above shows the local time of maximum eclipse in selected cities and the Moon’s height above the horizon at that moment. The higher the Moon is, the easier the eclipse will be to see.
If the Moon is high in the sky, start watching 30–60 minutes before maximum. If it is low, find a place with a clear view of the horizon. If the Moon is below the horizon at maximum, you’ll only see the earlier or later stages of the eclipse — or miss it entirely, depending on your local moonrise or moonset time.
North America: New York, Toronto, Chicago, Mexico City, Los Angeles
| City | Local visibility time | Maximum eclipse | Moon altitude at maximum | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Aug 27, 9:23 PM – Aug 28, 3:01 AM | Aug 28, 12:12 AM | High (38.2°) | Great view; the entire eclipse is visible. |
| Toronto | Aug 27, 9:23 PM – Aug 28, 3:01 AM | Aug 28, 12:12 AM | High (34.2°) | Great view; the entire eclipse is visible. |
| Chicago | Aug 27, 8:23 PM – Aug 28, 2:01 AM | Aug 27, 11:12 PM | High (33.3°) | Great view; the entire eclipse is visible. |
| Mexico City | Aug 27, 7:23 PM – Aug 28, 1:01 AM | Aug 27, 10:12 PM | High (43.7°) | Excellent view; entire eclipse visible. |
| Los Angeles | Aug 27, 7:17 PM – Aug 28, 0:01 AM | Aug 27, 9:12 PM | Moderate (21.3°) | Good view of maximum, but the beginning will be missed. |
South America: São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, Bogotá
| City | Local visibility time | Maximum eclipse | Moon altitude at maximum | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Paulo | Aug 27, 10:23 PM – Aug 28, 4:01 AM | Aug 28, 1:12 AM | Very high (68.4°) | Excellent view; entire eclipse visible. |
| Buenos Aires | Aug 27, 10:23 PM – Aug 28, 4:01 AM | Aug 28, 1:12 AM | Very high (63.9°) | Excellent view; entire eclipse visible. |
| Santiago | Aug 27, 9:23 PM – Aug 28, 3:01 AM | Aug 28, 12:12 AM | Very high (64.5°) | Excellent view; entire eclipse visible. |
| Lima | Aug 27, 8:23 PM – Aug 28, 2:01 AM | Aug 27, 11:12 PM | Very high (75.8°) | Excellent view; entire eclipse visible. |
| Bogotá | Aug 27, 8:23 PM – Aug 28, 2:01 AM | Aug 27, 11:12 PM | Very high (72.0°) | Excellent view; entire eclipse visible. |
Europe: Lisbon, London, Madrid, Paris, Berlin
| City | Local visibility time | Maximum eclipse | Moon altitude at maximum | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Aug 28, 2:23 – 7:10 AM | Aug 28, 5:12 AM | Low to moderate (19.7°) | One of Europe’s better views; clear western horizon recommended. |
| London | Aug 28, 2:23 – 6:15 AM | Aug 28, 5:12 AM | Very low (7.8°) | Maximum may be visible with a clear horizon |
| Madrid | Aug 28, 3:23 – 7:46 AM | Aug 28, 6:12 AM | Low (15.2°) | Maximum may be visible with a clear horizon |
| Paris | Aug 28, 3:23 – 7:09 AM | Aug 28, 6:12 AM | Very low (7.6°) | Difficult view; buildings or haze may block the Moon. |
| Berlin | Aug 28, 3:23 – 6:16 AM | Aug 28, 6:12 AM | Very low (0.3°) | Maximum occurs essentially at the horizon; the Moon may be extremely difficult to see. |
Africa: Dakar, Casablanca, Lagos, Cape Town, Cairo
| City | Local visibility time | Maximum eclipse | Moon altitude at maximum | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakar | Aug 28, 1:23 – 7:05 AM | Aug 28, 4:12 AM | High (38.0°) | One of the best African views; maximum is visible. |
| Casablanca | Aug 28, 2:23 – 7:09 AM | Aug 28, 5:12 AM | Moderate (21.2°) | Good view; clear western horizon recommended. |
| Lagos | Aug 28, 2:23 – 6:44 AM | Aug 28, 5:12 AM | Moderate (21.0°) | Maximum visible, but the Moon will be moving toward the horizon. |
| Cape Town | Aug 28, 3:23 – 7:12 AM | Aug 28, 6:12 AM | Low (11.3°) | Maximum may be visible; clear western horizon needed. |
| Cairo | Aug 28, 4:23 – 6:31 AM | Aug 28, 7:12 AM | Below horizon | The Moon sets before maximum; only earlier partial stages may be visible. |
Is the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Visible From My City?
The easiest way to find out whether the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse will be visible from your exact location is to use the Sky Tonight app. It shows local eclipse times, visibility, the Moon’s position in your sky, and a detailed eclipse map.
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Open the app and type “lunar eclipse” in the search field. Tap the matching result to open the event page for the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse. Below the image, you’ll see the exact visibility time based on your location — or a message saying that the eclipse is not visible from your region.
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The same page also includes a visibility map. Swipe the image to the left or tap the blue map icon in the upper-right corner, then zoom in to your location. Tap the “i” icon to see what the map colors mean and which eclipse phases you’ll be able to observe.
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To find out where the Moon will appear in your sky during the eclipse, tap the target icon to center the Moon on the sky map. Then use the compass icon to align the map with the real sky and follow the on-screen arrow until the Moon appears on your screen. This will help you choose a good viewing spot in advance, especially if the Moon will be low near the horizon.
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Date and Time for Different Timezones
The most dramatic moment of the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse comes around maximum eclipse, when the Moon goes deepest into Earth’s shadow. At that time, about 96% of the lunar disk will be covered, so the Moon may look almost fully darkened, with a muted red tint in the shadowed area and a small bright edge left. The maximum phase occurs on August 28 at 04:12 UTC/GMT.
Still, the eclipse is not just one moment. If it’s visible from your location, start watching 30–60 minutes before maximum to see Earth’s shadow slowly move across the Moon. The partial phase — when the change is easiest to notice — lasts from 02:33 to 05:52 UTC/GMT. The fainter penumbral stages before and after it are much more subtle. The whole event lasts 5 hours and 38 minutes, from 01:23 to 07:01 UTC/GMT. Use the timeline below to plan your observation.
| Time | Eclipse phase | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| 01:23 UTC | Penumbral phase begins | The Moon enters Earth’s penumbra; the shading is very subtle and hard to notice. |
| 02:33 UTC | Partial phase begins | Earth’s dark shadow starts covering the Moon, making it look like a “bite” is taken out of it. |
| 04:12 UTC | Maximum eclipse | The most striking phase, when the Moon is as deep as possible in Earth’s shadow. |
| 05:52 UTC | Partial phase ends | Earth’s shadow completely leaves the Moon’s disk. |
| 07:01 UTC | Penumbral phase ends | The Moon exits the penumbra and the eclipse is fully over. |
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Time in North America
In North America, the eclipse happens on the evening of August 27 and after midnight on August 28, depending on your time zone. Below are the corresponding local times for the maximum eclipse across North American time zones:
- ET / UTC−4 (eastern USA and Canada, parts of the Caribbean; e.g. New York, Toronto, Miami): 12:12 AM on August 28
- CT / UTC−5 (central USA and Canada; e.g. Chicago, Dallas): 11:12 PM on August 27
- MT / UTC−6 (mountain USA and Canada, most of Mexico; e.g. Denver, Calgary, Hermosillo, Mexico City): 10:12 PM on August 27
- PT / UTC−7 (western USA and Canada, Baja California; e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Tijuana): 9:12 PM on August 27
- AKT / UTC−8 (Alaska; e.g. Anchorage): 8:12 PM on August 27
- HST / UTC−10 (Hawaii; e.g. Honolulu): 6:12 PM on August 27
In eastern and central North America, the eclipse will be well placed, and the maximum phase will be easy to see. Farther west, the Moon rises later. In the Pacific time zone, you can still catch the maximum and the later stages, but the beginning may be missed. In Alaska and Hawaii, the view is more limited: many locations will see only the final part of the partial eclipse and the penumbral ending. Check your local moonrise time before planning your observation.
| Time zone | Common regions | Penumbral begins | Partial begins | Maximum eclipse | Partial ends | Penumbral ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTC-4 | Eastern USA, eastern Canada, Caribbean | Aug 27, 9:23 PM | Aug 27, 10:33 PM | Aug 28, 12:12 AM | Aug 28, 1:52 AM | Aug 28, 3:01 AM |
| UTC-5 | Central USA, central Canada | Aug 27, 8:23 PM | Aug 27, 9:33 PM | Aug 27, 11:12 PM | Aug 28, 12:52 AM | Aug 28, 2:01 AM |
| UTC-6 | Mountain USA, parts of Canada, Mexico | Aug 27, 7:23 PM | Aug 27, 8:33 PM | Aug 27, 10:12 PM | Aug 27, 11:52 PM | Aug 28, 1:01 AM |
| UTC-7 | Pacific USA, western Canada | Aug 27, 6:23 PM | Aug 27, 7:33 PM | Aug 27, 9:12 PM | Aug 27, 10:52 PM | Aug 28, 12:01 AM |
| UTC-8 | Alaska and nearby regions | Aug 27, 5:23 PM | Aug 27, 6:33 PM | Aug 27, 8:12 PM | Aug 27, 9:52 PM | Aug 27, 11:01 PM |
| UTC-10 | Hawaii | Aug 27, 3:23 PM | Aug 27, 4:33 PM | Aug 27, 6:12 PM | Aug 27, 7:52 PM | Aug 27, 9:01 PM |
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Time in South America
For South America, the eclipse happens during the night of August 27–28. Most of the continent will have a very good view, with the Moon above the horizon during the main stages. Below are the corresponding local times for maximum eclipse:
- COT / PET / ECT/ UTC−5 (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador; e.g. Bogotá, Lima, Quito): 11:12 PM on August 27
- BOT / CLT / PYT / VET/ UTC−4 (Bolivia, Chile, Venezuela; e.g. La Paz, Santiago, Asunción, Caracas): 12:12 AM on August 28
- ART / UYT / BRT/ UTC−3 (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, eastern Brazil; e.g. Buenos Aires, Montevideo, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro): 1:12 AM on August 28
For the best experience, start watching earlier during the partial phase, when the Moon begins to darken.
| Time zone | Common regions | Penumbral begins | Partial begins | Maximum eclipse | Partial ends | Penumbral ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTC-5 | Colombia, Peru, Ecuador | Aug 27, 8:23 PM | Aug 27, 9:33 PM | Aug 27, 11:12 PM | Aug 28, 12:52 AM | Aug 28, 2:01 AM |
| UTC-4 | Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Venezuela | Aug 27, 9:23 PM | Aug 27, 10:33 PM | Aug 28, 12:12 AM | Aug 28, 1:52 AM | Aug 28, 3:01 AM |
| UTC-3 | Argentina, Uruguay, eastern Brazil | Aug 27, 10:23 PM | Aug 27, 11:33 PM | Aug 28, 1:12 AM | Aug 28, 2:52 AM | Aug 28, 4:01 AM |
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Time in Europe
In Europe, the eclipse happens in the early morning of August 28, close to the moonset. The Moon will be low in the western sky, and many places will not see the full event. The farther west you are, the better your chances of seeing the deeper stages. Below are the corresponding local times:
- WEST / BST / IST (Portugal, UK, Ireland; e.g. Lisbon, London, Dublin): 5:12 AM on August 28
- CEST (Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium; e.g. Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam): 6:12 AM on August 28
- EEST (Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland, Ukraine, Baltic countries; e.g. Athens, Bucharest, Kyiv, Helsinki): 7:12 AM on August 28
These are clock times, not guaranteed visibility times. In some CEST locations, such as Berlin, the Moon sets before maximum eclipse, so the deepest stage will not be visible.
| Time zone | Common regions | Penumbral begins | Partial begins | Maximum eclipse | Partial ends | Penumbral ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTC+1 | Portugal, UK, Ireland | Aug 28, 2:23 AM | Aug 28, 3:33 AM | Aug 28, 5:12 AM | Aug 28, 6:52 AM | Aug 28, 8:01 AM |
| UTC+2 | Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium | Aug 28, 3:23 AM | Aug 28, 4:33 AM | Aug 28, 6:12 AM | Aug 28, 7:52 AM | Aug 28, 9:01 AM |
| UTC+3 | Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland, Ukraine, Baltic countries | Aug 28, 4:23 AM | Aug 28, 5:33 AM | Aug 28, 7:12 AM | Aug 28, 8:52 AM | Aug 28, 10:01 AM |
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Time in Africa
In Africa, the partial lunar eclipse happens in the early morning of August 28, while the Moon is moving toward the western horizon. Western Africa gets the best timing: the Moon will still be higher in the sky during the deepest part of the eclipse. Farther east, the Moon will be lower, and in some places it may set before the maximum phase. Below are the corresponding local times for the maximum eclipse across African time zones:
- GMT / UTC±0 (western Africa; e.g. Dakar, Accra, Freetown): 4:12 AM on August 28
- UTC+1 (northwestern and central Africa; e.g. Casablanca, Lagos, Kinshasa): 5:12 AM on August 28
- UTC+2 (southern and northeastern Africa; e.g. Cape Town, Johannesburg): 6:12 AM on August 28
- UTC+3 (eastern Africa; e.g. Cairo, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Antananarivo): 7:12 AM on August 28
| Time zone | Common regions | Penumbral begins | Partial begins | Maximum eclipse | Partial ends | Penumbral ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTC±0 | Western Africa | Aug 28, 1:23 AM | Aug 28, 2:33 AM | Aug 28, 4:12 AM | Aug 28, 5:52 AM | Aug 28, 7:01 AM |
| UTC+1 | Northwestern and central Africa | Aug 28, 2:23 AM | Aug 28, 3:33 AM | Aug 28, 5:12 AM | Aug 28, 6:52 AM | Aug 28, 8:01 AM |
| UTC+2 | Southern and northeastern Africa | Aug 28, 3:23 AM | Aug 28, 4:33 AM | Aug 28, 6:12 AM | Aug 28, 7:52 AM | Aug 28, 9:01 AM |
| UTC+3 | Eastern Africa | Aug 28, 4:23 AM | Aug 28, 5:33 AM | Aug 28, 7:12 AM | Aug 28, 8:52 AM | Aug 28, 10:01 AM |
When to See the Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 From My Location?
To find the exact local timing of the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse, use the Eclipse Guide app, designed specifically for tracking lunar and solar eclipses.
Open the app and tap the menu icon in the upper-right corner to select your location. Once a location is chosen, Eclipse Guide automatically calculates the precise timing and duration of all key eclipse phases — from the subtle penumbral stages to the moment of maximum eclipse — specifically for your location.
This makes it easy to see when each phase begins and ends without converting time zones or doing any manual calculations. It’s especially useful if you’re in a region where the Moon rises or sets during the eclipse, because the app shows which parts of the event are actually visible from your location.
Best Tips for Watching the Partial Lunar Eclipse in August 2026
A lunar eclipse is one of the easiest astronomical events to watch. All you need is the Moon above your horizon during the eclipse — in other words, it should be nighttime at your location while the event is happening.
You don’t need eclipse glasses, filters, or any special equipment. Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye. If you have binoculars or a small telescope, bring them along: they can help you see the shadow moving across the lunar disk more clearly.
The best time to watch is around maximum eclipse, which occurs at 04:12 UTC/GMT on August 28. Try to start observing 30-60 minutes before maximum, when Earth’s dark shadow is already moving across the Moon and the shadowed part may begin to look reddish. By the deepest stage, about 96% of the lunar disk will be covered, and it may look almost fully darkened, with a muted red or coppery shade across most of the disk and a thin bright edge still visible.
If the Moon is low in your sky during the eclipse — especially in parts of Europe, Africa, western North America, and the Pacific region — choose your viewing spot in advance. Look for a place with an open view toward the Moon, away from buildings, trees, hills, or haze near the horizon.
Now that you know when and where to watch the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse, test your eclipse knowledge! Take our quick quiz to see how well you understand lunar and solar eclipses, why the Moon can turn red, and when eclipse glasses are actually needed.
Best Tips for Photographing the Partial Lunar Eclipse in August 2026
Arrive early and take a few test shots before the eclipse reaches its deepest stage. This will give you time to check the Moon’s position, choose a composition, focus properly, and adjust your exposure. If the Moon is low in your sky, come even earlier to make sure buildings, trees, hills, or haze won’t block the view.
The Moon’s brightness will change a lot during the eclipse. At first, expose for a normal bright Full Moon. As Earth’s shadow covers more of the disk, you may need to raise the exposure slightly to capture the darkened part. Near maximum, about 96% of the Moon will be covered, but the small bright edge can still overexpose, so take several shots with different exposure settings.
If you’re using a phone, night mode can help only if it doesn’t turn the Moon into a glowing white blob. A small tripod or a phone mount will make your shots much sharper.
If you’re using a camera, use a tripod and a telephoto lens if you have one. Keep exposures short enough to avoid motion blur, and adjust settings as the Moon gets darker. Taking photos every 10–15 minutes can give you a nice sequence of the shadow moving across the lunar disk.
If the Moon is low near the horizon, use the scene around it. A skyline, trees, hills, or buildings can make the photo more interesting — just make sure they frame the Moon rather than hide it.
What to See Near the Eclipsed Moon on August 27–28, 2026?
During the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse, the Moon will be in the constellation Aquarius. If the sky is clear, you can use the eclipsed Moon as a starting point to find several bright stars, asterisms, planets, and deep-sky objects nearby.
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Start with Aquarius itself. About 8° above the Moon, the Y-shaped Water Jar asterism forms a fun little “YO” pattern with the round Moon below it. The constellation also holds two famous deep-sky objects near the Moon: the Helix Nebula (mag 7) and the globular cluster M2 (mag 6.3), both about 13° from the Moon. M2 is the easier target for binoculars or a small telescope under a dark sky. The Helix Nebula is much more challenging: you’ll need a dark sky, optical aid, and good observing conditions.
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About 20° above the Moon, in Pegasus, you’ll find Enif, a bright star shining at magnitude 2.3. Nearby is the Pegasus Cluster, or M15 (mag 6.6), another object best viewed with binoculars or a telescope.
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About 20° below the Moon, in Piscis Austrinus, look for Fomalhaut. With a magnitude of 1.1, it is one of the brightest stars in this part of the sky and should be easy to spot if your horizon is clear. Telescope users in the Southern Hemisphere can also try to find Comet 10P/Tempel 2 east of Fomalhaut. It will be very faint, around magnitude 13, so a telescope and dark sky are required.
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To the side of the Moon, in Pisces, look for the Circlet of Pisces, a small ring-shaped asterism about 20° from the Moon. In the same general area, bright Saturn will shine at magnitude 0.5, making it easy to identify. Neptune (mag 7.6) will also be nearby, close to the galaxy NGC 60 (mag 14.8). Neptune requires optical aid, while the much fainter galaxy NGC 60 is a challenging telescopic target under good observing conditions.
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next lunar eclipse?
The next lunar eclipse is the deep partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28, 2026. At maximum, about 96% of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow, so it will look almost total — but not quite. After that, the next lunar eclipse will be a penumbral lunar eclipse on February 20–21, 2027. It will be much subtler: the Moon will pass through Earth’s faint outer shadow, so it may look only slightly dimmer than usual. To plan ahead, check our regularly updated infographic with the next 5 solar and lunar eclipses, including dates, visibility maps, and key viewing details.
What time is the partial lunar eclipse 2026?
The eclipse reaches its maximum at 04:12 UTC/GMT on August 28, 2026. That’s when the Moon goes deepest into Earth’s shadow. The partial phase lasts from 02:33 to 05:52 UTC/GMT.
Where is the August 2026 lunar eclipse visible?
The best views are in North America, Central America, South America, Greenland, and Antarctica, where much or all of the eclipse is visible. Parts of Europe and Africa can also see it, but the Moon will be low and close to setting. Much of Asia will miss the eclipse because the Moon will be below the horizon.
Is the August 2026 lunar eclipse visible in the USA?
Yes. Most of the USA will see the maximum phase of the eclipse. In the eastern and central states, the whole eclipse will be visible. Farther west, the Moon may rise after the eclipse has already begun, so the earliest stages can be missed.
Is the August 2026 lunar eclipse visible in the UK?
Yes, but the Moon will be low in the western sky. The maximum eclipse happens at about 5:12 AM local time in the UK. You’ll need a clear western horizon, and the later stages may be cut off by moonset.
How long will the August 2026 lunar eclipse last?
The whole eclipse lasts 5 hours and 38 minutes, from 01:23 to 07:01 UTC/GMT. The visible partial phase, when Earth’s dark shadow covers the Moon, lasts 3 hours and 19 minutes, from 02:33 to 05:52 UTC/GMT.
Is the August 2026 lunar eclipse a Blood Moon?
Not exactly. “Blood Moon” usually means a total lunar eclipse, when the whole Moon enters Earth’s darkest shadow and can turn red. This eclipse is partial, so a small bright edge of the Moon will remain outside the darkest shadow. For a simple explanation of why the Moon turns red and how different types of lunar eclipses work, check our complete guide to lunar eclipses.
How deep will the August 2026 partial lunar eclipse be?
Very deep. About 96% of the Moon’s disk will be covered at maximum. That means it will look close to a total lunar eclipse, but not completely total.
Will the Moon turn red during the partial lunar eclipse 2026?
Part of it may. The shadowed part of the Moon can take on a muted red or coppery color, especially near maximum. But the Moon will not turn fully red like it does during a total lunar eclipse.
Do I need eclipse glasses to watch the partial lunar eclipse in August 2026?
No. Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye. You don’t need eclipse glasses, filters, or any special equipment. Binoculars or a small telescope can make the shadow easier to see, but they’re optional.
Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026: Bottom Line
The partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28, 2026, will be one of the most impressive lunar events of the year. At maximum, about 96% of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow, making it look almost total — but with a small bright edge still visible.
The best views will be in the Americas, where much of the eclipse is visible from start to finish. Europe and Africa can also see the event, but the Moon will be low and close to setting, so a clear western horizon is essential. Use Sky Tonight to check the exact eclipse times and visibility for your location.
Eclipses Come in Pairs: Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026
Eclipses often come in pairs: a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse usually happen about two weeks apart. Before the deep partial lunar eclipse on August 28, there will be a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. Read our guide to the August 2026 solar eclipse to find out where totality will be visible and how to watch it safely.
The August 2026 Eclipse Happens During the Sturgeon Moon
This partial lunar eclipse occurs during August’s Full Moon, traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon. Read more about its name, meaning, and timing in our guide to the Full Sturgeon Moon.
