Blankets and meteors: Your guide to a perfect night sky adventure
Are you excited for celestial events this summer? USA TODAY’s Julia Gomez explains how you can stay comfortable while watching stars.
It’s almost time for the “almost blood moon.” Professional and novice astronomers alike are getting excited about the partial lunar eclipse.
On Thursday, Aug. 27 to Friday, Aug. 28, a deep partial lunar eclipse will take place, according to NASA. While the eclipse is only partial, meaning only part of the moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow, it’s often called an “almost blood moon” because a whopping 96% of the moon will be eclipsed.
“So there will be a little part of the moon that will still glow, and the rest of it will be dark,” Nico Cappelluti, an associate professor in astrophysics and cosmology at the University of Miami, told USA TODAY.
The partial lunar eclipse will also take place during August’s full moon, also known as the Sturgeon Moon.
Here’s what to know about the partial lunar eclipse and how you can get front row seats to this interstellar show.
What time will the partial lunar eclipse take place?
The eclipse will begin on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 9:23 p.m. ET, according to Time and Date. It will reach maximum eclipse when the moon is most covered, on Friday, Aug. 28, at 12:12 a.m. ET.
Last eclipse of the year
There have been four solar and lunar eclipses in 2026, with August’s partial lunar eclipse being the last one of the year, according to NASA.
The most recent eclipse was a total solar eclipse that took place on Aug. 12 and was visible in only a few countries. On Feb.. 17, there was also an annular solar eclipse, which happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth while the moon is at its farthest point from the Earth.
The last total lunar eclipse occurred just two weeks later, on March 3.
Is this partial lunar eclipse a blood moon?
No, which is why it’s sometimes called an “almost blood moon”. A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the moon appears reddish-orange.
This happens because of the way different colors of light travel, according to NASA. The sunlight that Earth doesn’t block from reaching the moon will appear red because the light is filtered through Earth’s thick atmosphere as it travels to the moon’s surface, and filters out light of different colors.
Most of the US will be able to see all or part of the eclipse
Unlike the solar eclipse that occurred earlier in the month, the entire United States will be able to see all or part of the partial lunar eclipse.
All of North America will be able to see part or all of the lunar eclipse, according to NASA. The East Coast and parts of the Midwest will see the full eclipse, while Alaska and the West Coast will see only part of it.
The eclipse will also be visible in the Southern Hemisphere, and all of South America will see the full eclipse.
Tips for seeing the partial lunar eclipse
The lunar eclipse is visible to the naked eye, and observers will not require any visual aids, such as telescopes or binoculars, to view it, according to Cappelluti. Your phone can also be used to capture pictures of the eclipse.
“Even the zoom of your iPhone can give you very nice pictures,” Cappelluti said.
Those who plan to stay up at night to watch the eclipse and want the optimal experience should do the following:
- Check the weather and cloud cover in your area to ensure conditions are optimal for viewing the celestial events.
- Find a dark location away from light pollution.
- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
- Avoid looking at phones or bright lights.
To be as comfortable as possible, dress appropriately for the weather, use bug spray and bring a blanket, a sleeping bag or a reclining chair to lie on.
While following the steps listed above might give you a better view of the night sky, it isn’t required to move away from light pollution to get a better view of the eclipse like you would for other celestial events, like meteor showers. As long as you have a clear view of the sky, where buildings and clouds won’t block your sight of the moon, you should be able to watch the eclipse from anywhere in the country.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.