Got light pollution? Dont let it spoil the Aug. 2026 partial lunar eclipse

Be prepared for a great lunar spectacle on August 27, 2026. This partial lunar eclipse will be visible across North and South America, as well as parts of Europe and Africa. Unlike solar eclipses, this one won't require special glasses to safely view. The moon will take on a coppery orange or red glow due to filtered sunlight from Earth's atmosphere. It's the best chance in several years to witness a major lunar light show.

However, if you reside in a city with perpetual light pollution or face cloudy weather, worry not. Several telescope observatories will provide free livestreams to bring the event to your screen. During the eclipse, the Earth will pass between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that will cover over 96% of the lunar surface. Instead of turning completely dark, the moon will glow in hues of copper and red, a phenomenon often referred to as a 'blood moon.'

You can watch the Earth's curved shadow sweep across lunar craters through binoculars or even a regular smartphone camera. If you desire a closer look, professional telescope equipment will provide a more detailed view. If you're not in the viewing zone, multiple astronomy groups will offer free live broadcasts of the event on the night of August 27 into the early morning of August 28.

These broadcasts include live streams from Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, the Virtual Telescope Project showcasing high-resolution views from Tuscany, and Timeanddate.com with expert tracking animations and commentary.