Stargazers across North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and western Asia are preparing for a spectacular astronomical event on the night of August 27–28, 2026, according to Sky & Telescope. The alignment of the sun, Earth, and moon will result in a deep partial lunar eclipse of the full “Sturgeon Moon,” darkening 96 percent of the lunar surface at its peak, as reported by Space.
Understanding the Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse and the Sturgeon Moon
Unlike solar eclipses, viewers do not need specially darkened glasses to protect their eyes and can safely stare at the phenomenon with the naked eye, according to mashable.com. At maximum eclipse, Earth’s dark central shadow, or umbra, will swallow nearly the entire moon, leaving only a bright silver lunar sliver poking out into the lighter outer shadow, or penumbra. During this peak, the moon will glow in coppery orange and red, resembling a smoldering sunset or a hot fireplace poker. NASA notes that the effect is as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon.
Timeline and Viewing Details Across Time Zones
Every phase of the partial lunar eclipse will occur simultaneously on the night side of Earth, though local clock times vary by time zone. According to data from the U.S. Naval Observatory published by Sky & Telescope, the timeline of key events is as follows:
- Penumbra first visible: ~10:00 p.m. EDT / ~9:00 p.m. CDT / ~8:00 p.m. MDT / ~7:00 p.m. PDT
- Partial eclipse begins: 10:33 p.m. EDT / 9:33 p.m. CDT / 8:33 p.m. MDT / 7:33 p.m. PDT
- Greatest eclipse: 12:13 a.m. EDT / 11:13 p.m. CDT / 10:13 p.m. MDT / 9:13 p.m. PDT
- Partial eclipse ends: 1:52 a.m. EDT / 12:52 a.m. CDT / 11:52 p.m. MDT / 10:52 p.m. PDT
- Penumbra last visible: ~2:15 a.m. EDT / ~1:15 a.m. CDT / ~12:15 a.m. MDT / ~11:15 p.m. PDT
Observers can notice penurmal shading starting about a half hour before the partial phases begin and lingering up to a half hour after they end. Astrophotographers and casual viewers equipped with binoculars can watch Earth’s curved shadow sweep across lunar craters, while sharp-eyed observers near maximum eclipse may spot a pale turquoise band between the bright penumbral sliver and the reddened disk, caused by sunlight filtered through the stratospheric ozone layer.
How to Watch Live Online If Weather Interferes
For those living in areas with city light pollution or facing cloudy weather, several observatories and organizations are hosting free online livestreams, as detailed by Space and mashable.com:
- Time and Date: Livestream begins at 10 p.m. EDT on August 27, featuring real-time views of the Sturgeon Moon over Portugal and Spain, with commentary from astrophysicist Graham Jones and journalist Anne Buckle.
- Griffith Observatory: Broadcasting live from Los Angeles starting at 10:25 p.m. EDT on August 27, offering both public onsite viewing and online feeds as the moon turns crimson.
- The Virtual Telescope Project: Stream starts at 9:30 p.m. EDT on August 27, featuring high-resolution telescope views captured from Manciano, Italy, and Chile, accompanied by insights from astrophysicist and astronomer Gianluca Masi.
