Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Detailed Description
A deep partial lunar eclipse will occur during the night of Thursday, August 27, and the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026. At maximum eclipse, approximately 96.3 per cent of the Moon’s visible disc will pass inside Earth’s dark central shadow, known as the umbra. Only a narrow portion of the Moon will remain directly illuminated, making the event look almost like a total lunar eclipse.
During the eclipse, the shadowed part of the Moon may appear copper, orange or reddish. This colour is produced when sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, where shorter blue wavelengths are scattered while red and orange light is refracted towards the Moon. Although often described as a Blood Moon, the event remains officially classified as a partial lunar eclipse because the entire Moon will not enter the umbra.
The eclipse will be clearly visible across most of the contiguous United States. Viewers in Eastern states will see the maximum shortly after midnight, while those on the West Coast can watch the peak during the late evening of August 27. Hawaii will miss the maximum phase, while visibility will be limited in parts of Alaska because the Moon will be below the horizon during the deepest stage.
The eclipse will not be visible from India. All major phases will occur after sunrise, when the Moon is below the Indian horizon. Indian viewers can still follow online livestreams from observatories and astronomy platforms in regions where the eclipse is visible.
Lunar Eclipse 2026 India Timings| Eclipse phase | Date in India | India time |
|---|---|---|
| Penumbral eclipse begins | Friday, August 28, 2026 | 6:54 AM IST |
| Partial lunar eclipse begins | Friday, August 28, 2026 | 8:04 AM IST |
| Maximum eclipse | Friday, August 28, 2026 | 9:43 AM IST |
| Partial lunar eclipse ends | Friday, August 28, 2026 | 11:22 AM IST |
| Penumbral eclipse ends | Friday, August 28, 2026 | 12:31 PM IST |
India visibility: The eclipse will not be visible because the Moon will have already set and daylight will have begun across the country.
Lunar Eclipse 2026 USA Timings| Eclipse phase | Eastern Time | Central Time | Mountain Time | Pacific Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penumbral eclipse begins | Aug. 27, 9:24 PM | Aug. 27, 8:24 PM | Aug. 27, 7:24 PM | Aug. 27, 6:24 PM |
| Partial eclipse begins | Aug. 27, 10:34 PM | Aug. 27, 9:34 PM | Aug. 27, 8:34 PM | Aug. 27, 7:34 PM |
| Maximum eclipse | Aug. 28, 12:13 AM | Aug. 27, 11:13 PM | Aug. 27, 10:13 PM | Aug. 27, 9:13 PM |
| Partial eclipse ends | Aug. 28, 1:52 AM | Aug. 28, 12:52 AM | Aug. 27, 11:52 PM | Aug. 27, 10:52 PM |
| Penumbral eclipse ends | Aug. 28, 3:01 AM | Aug. 28, 2:01 AM | Aug. 28, 1:01 AM | Aug. 28, 12:01 AM |
How To Watch The Lunar Eclipse Safely
A lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye. Protective eclipse glasses are not required because viewers are observing sunlight reflected from the Moon rather than looking directly at the Sun.
Binoculars or a telescope can provide a clearer view of the reddish shadow and lunar surface. Viewers should choose a dark location with minimal artificial lighting and a clear view of the Moon. Cloud cover, rain or haze may affect visibility, so checking the local weather forecast before the event is recommended.
