A 96% partial lunar eclipse is just 1 week away: Here's what you need to know

A partial lunar eclipse is set to occur on August 27-28, just one week from now, casting Earth's shadow over the moon to create a reddish hue visible across North America, South America, Africa, and Europe. This eclipse will occur during the full moon phase, with Earth positioned directly between the sun and moon, resulting in 96% of the moon's visible face being shrouded by Earth's inner shadow.

The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 10:33 p.m. EDT on August 27 (0233 GMT on August 28), gradually advancing across the moon's surface until it reaches its peak at 12:12 a.m. EDT on August 28 (0412 GMT). During this time, the shadowed portion of the moon may appear reddish-orange due to sunlight being refracted by Earth's atmosphere and casting a reddish glow onto the lunar surface.

Observers in different locations on Earth will witness the maximum eclipse at varying times, with viewers on the West Coast of the United States experiencing it shortly after midnight on Aug. 27-28, while those in the United Kingdom will see it shortly before sunrise on Aug. 28. To witness this celestial event, stargazers do not require specialized equipment like solar eclipse viewers, but binoculars or a telescope can provide a captivating view of Earth's shadow crossing the lunar disk.

For those interested in photographing the lunar eclipse, the article also provides guidance on selecting the appropriate cameras and lenses for astrophotography, as well as tips for capturing the event.