Rare Lunar Eclipse to Cover 96% of Moon This Week—How To Watch

A rare lunar eclipse is set to cover 96% of the moon's surface, offering a dramatic celestial event for skywatchers across the United States and beyond. According to NASA, the eclipse will take place overnight on August 27 or 28, as Earth passes directly between the sun and a full moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. At the moment of greatest eclipse, 96.3% of the moon's visible disk will be within Earth's umbra, the dark central shadow.

While not a total lunar eclipse, this event is unusually dramatic, with a thin sliver of the moon remaining in direct sunlight at maximum eclipse. Deep partial eclipses of this magnitude occur infrequently, making this event particularly noteworthy. As part of Saros 138, a series of lunar eclipses repeating every 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours, this eclipse follows the previous one in 2008 and will be succeeded by the next one in 2044.

Astronomers are particularly excited about this eclipse due to its potential to produce reddish or copper hues, unlike many partial eclipses. As the eclipse progresses, observers will witness a dark shadow slowly crossing the full moon, starting with subtle dimming from Earth's outer shadow (penumbra), followed by the appearance of Earth's darker umbral shadow.

Near maximum eclipse, the sunlit portion of the moon will shrink to a narrow crescent, with the shadowed section potentially glowing shades of red, orange, or copper due to sunlight being filtered and bent by Earth's atmosphere.

The eclipse will reach its maximum at 4:13 a.m. UTC on August 28, with much of the United States enjoying favorable viewing conditions. North American observers, including those in Los Angeles, Portland, New York, and Jacksonville, will be well positioned for the event. Additionally, the eclipse will be visible across much of South America, western Europe, and western Africa.

Unlike solar eclipses, a lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye, requiring no special equipment. Astronomers recommend finding a location with a clear view of the sky and minimal light pollution, though binoculars or a small telescope can enhance the viewing experience by revealing additional details of the moon's craters and maria. Clear weather will be crucial for optimal viewing, and those unable to watch in person can catch a live webcast from multiple observing locations around the world.