A partial lunar eclipse will darken nearly the entire surface of the Moon overnight on August 27 and 28, 2026, offering observers across the Americas, Europe, and Africa a view of Earth's shadow moving across the lunar disc.
The astronomical event will see approximately 96 percent of the Moon enter the darkest region of Earth's shadow during its peak, according to calculations by astronomical tracking portal Time and Date.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a partial lunar eclipse occurs when Earth positions itself directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow onto the lunar surface. Because only a portion of the Moon enters the deepest area of the shadow during a partial event, the lunar disc is not completely covered.
As the Moon partially traverses the shadow projected by Earth, one section of the lunar surface will grow dark while the remaining area continues to receive direct sunlight. Observers on Earth will be able to watch a dark shadow appear to creep across the surface of the Moon. Depending on atmospheric and viewing conditions, portions of the Moon may also take on reddish or orange hues during the phenomenon.
Peak viewing times and global visibility
The partial lunar eclipse of August 27 and 28 will be visible across a vast geographic area, primarily covering North and South America, as well as large portions of Europe and Africa.
The peak of the eclipse, occurring when Earth's shadow covers more than 96 percent of the lunar surface, will take place at specific local times across different regions on Thursday night, August 27, and Friday morning, August 28:
- Mexico (Central): 10:12 p.m. on Thursday, August 27
- Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador: 11:13 p.m. on Thursday, August 27
- United States (West Coast, Los Angeles): 9:12 p.m. on Thursday, August 27
- United States (East Coast, New York and Miami): 12:12 a.m. on Friday, August 28
- Chile: 12:13 a.m. on Friday, August 28
- Argentina and Uruguay: 1:13 a.m. on Friday, August 28
- Peninsular Spain: 6:12 a.m. on Friday, August 28, visible just before sunrise
Differences between lunar and solar eclipses
The primary distinction between a lunar eclipse and a total solar eclipse lies in the spatial alignment of the three celestial bodies involved. During a lunar eclipse, Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the Moon. In contrast, during a solar eclipse, the Moon moves directly between Earth and the Sun, blocking some or all of the sunlight for specific areas on Earth.
Viewing safety also differs significantly between the two events. A lunar eclipse can be observed directly with the naked eye without specialized equipment because it does not involve looking toward the Sun. A solar eclipse, however, requires proper eye protection at all times, as observing the Sun directly can cause severe and permanent damage to eyesight.
Orbital mechanics and eclipse seasons
Although the Moon completes an orbit around Earth roughly once every month, lunar eclipses do not happen during every full moon. The Moon's orbit is tilted by approximately five degrees relative to the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun. As a result, the Moon usually passes slightly above or below the shadow cast by Earth during most monthly cycles.
An eclipse can only take place when the alignment between the Sun, Earth, and the Moon is sufficiently precise. The partial lunar eclipse of August 27 and 28 belongs to the same eclipse season that began earlier in the month with the total solar eclipse on August 12. According to Time and Date, solar eclipses and lunar eclipses typically occur roughly two weeks apart within the same astronomical window.
Astronomers note that while a partial lunar eclipse may appear less dramatic than a total lunar eclipse, the event offers stargazers a clear opportunity to observe how Earth projects its shadow into space and to appreciate the precise celestial alignment required for such phenomena to occur.
