How to Watch the August 2026 Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse Across North America
A deep partial lunar eclipse will cross the night sky from August 27 into August 28, 2026, giving much of North America a long viewing window. The event will also be visible from parts of South America, Europe and Africa. NASA classifies it as a partial lunar eclipse, with about 93% of the Moon’s diameter entering Earth’s darkest shadow at maximum eclipse. (science.nasa.gov)
The best hours depend on your time zone
For viewers in the eastern United States, the partial phase begins late on August 27 and reaches its peak shortly after midnight on August 28. In New York, for example, the partial eclipse begins at about 10:34 p.m. EDT, peaks at approximately 12:13 a.m., and ends around 1:52 a.m. (timeanddate.com)
Across central and western parts of the continent, the event begins earlier by the clock. Local circumstances vary widely because the Moon’s altitude changes from place to place. Some western locations will see the Moon lower in the sky, making an unobstructed horizon especially useful.
| Phase | New York local time |
|---|---|
| Penumbral eclipse begins | About 9:24 p.m. EDT |
| Partial eclipse begins | About 10:34 p.m. EDT |
| Maximum eclipse | About 12:13 a.m. EDT |
| Partial eclipse ends | About 1:52 a.m. EDT |
Check a location-specific eclipse calculator before heading outside. The U.S. Naval Observatory lists the event among the major eclipses of 2026, while local visibility depends on moonrise, moonset, weather and nearby obstructions. (aa.usno.navy.mil)
Find a dark, open view of the Moon
Lunar eclipses require no special eye protection. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse involves looking at reflected sunlight from the Moon, so it is safe to watch with the naked eye. Binoculars can reveal the curved edge of Earth’s shadow, and a small telescope may show the transition between the bright and dark portions of the lunar surface. (science.nasa.gov)
Choose a location with a clear view toward the Moon and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. City lights will not prevent the eclipse, but a darker site can make the coppery colors and the faint penumbral dimming easier to notice.
Why the Moon may look copper or red
During the partial phase, most of the lunar disk remains illuminated while the portion inside Earth’s umbra darkens. Sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere loses much of its blue light through scattering; longer red and orange wavelengths continue through the atmosphere and reach the eclipsed Moon. Dust, smoke and clouds in the atmosphere can alter the exact color, so the Moon may appear brown, orange or brick red rather than a vivid scarlet. (science.nasa.gov)
Because this eclipse is unusually deep—more than 96% of the Moon’s surface is expected to enter the umbra—the view can resemble a total lunar eclipse even though a slim bright crescent remains. (timeanddate.com)
A simple way to photograph it
A phone can capture the Moon if it is mounted securely and focused manually on the lunar disk. Reduce exposure rather than relying on the bright automatic setting, and take several images as the shadow advances. A tripod and a telephoto lens will produce more detail, while a wide-angle shot can place the eclipsed Moon within a landscape.
Weather remains the deciding factor. If clouds block the Moon, no change in camera settings will recover the view, so consult a local forecast and prepare a backup location with a better horizon.