96% lunar eclipse, Aug 27-28
Earth’s shadow will swallow 96% of the lunar surface overnight on Aug. 27-28, potentially turning the moon a gorgeous shade of crimson as it bathes in light filtered and refracted by our planet’s atmosphere.
The partial lunar eclipse will occur as Earth passes between the sun and moon during the monthly full moon phase. Around this time, Earth’s curved inner shadow will appear to creep across the lunar surface while leaving a thin crescent exposed to direct sunlight at the point of maximum eclipse.
The Aug. 27-28 partial lunar eclipse will be visible to roughly 3.3 billion people spread across North America, South America and parts of Europe and Africa. Each phase will occur simultaneously for everyone watching from Earth, through the local timings for each eclipse phase will vary depending on your location.
East Coast cities including New York and Jacksonville will see the lunar spectacle peak around midnight local time. The partial eclipse begins around 9:23 p.m. ET on August 27, with the peak (maximum eclipse) occurring shortly after midnight at approximately 12:12 a.m.
The full extent of a partial lunar eclipse can be enjoyed by anyone who happens to be on the night side of Earth at the time that it occurs. You also won’t need safety glasses or specialized equipment to view a lunar eclipse. It’ll look magnificent to the naked eye, though binoculars, or even a telescope can heighten the experience by granting a magnified view of the moon as Earth’s shadow slowly marches across its cratered surface.
It’s the deepest partial lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth until Dec. 31, 2028, making it a must-see event worth staying up late for.
