Skywatchers across nearly all of North and South America get a front-row seat to the year’s most dramatic lunar show

A partial lunar eclipse will sweep across the night sky beginning Thursday, Aug. 27, stretching into the early hours of Friday morning and offering one of the most striking celestial sights of the year. Though technically partial, the event will darken an extraordinary 96% of the moon’s surface, earning it the nickname “almost blood moon” among astronomers and casual observers alike.

The spectacle will unfold over more than five hours, giving viewers across nearly the entire Western Hemisphere a chance to witness Earth’s shadow creep across the lunar surface. Unlike the solar eclipse that swept through parts of the country earlier this year, this event requires no special equipment and will be visible with the naked eye from nearly anywhere with a clear sky. That accessibility is part of what makes lunar eclipses such a draw: no protective glasses, no telescope, just a clear patch of sky and a bit of patience.

Why This Eclipse Feels Different

An associate professor of astrophysics and cosmology at the University of Miami described the event as an accessible and cost-free opportunity for the public to engage with astronomy, noting that even a smartphone camera can capture striking images of the moon during the eclipse. That kind of casual observability has made lunar eclipses increasingly popular moments for skywatchers who might not otherwise venture into astronomy. Unlike deep-sky events that require dark, remote conditions, this one plays out gradually and visibly, making it easy to check on throughout the night rather than committing to a single, fleeting moment.

While the moon won’t fully vanish into Earth’s shadow, the sliver of light remaining visible at the eclipse’s peak could give the moon a reddish-orange tint, echoing the deeper red hue associated with a true blood moon, which only occurs during total lunar eclipses when sunlight refracts through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface. The moon‘s subtle color shift throughout the night is a reminder of just how close this event comes to full totality without quite reaching it.

Eclipse Timeline for Thursday Night

According to Time and Date, the eclipse will move through several distinct phases:

• Penumbral phase begins at 9:23 p.m. ET, as the moon enters the outer edge of Earth’s shadow with barely perceptible dimming, the kind of subtle shift most casual observers won’t even notice at first
• Partial eclipse phase begins at 10:33 p.m. ET, when Earth’s shadow becomes clearly visible across the moon’s face
• Maximum eclipse occurs at 12:12 a.m. ET, with 96% coverage and the potential for a red-orange glow
• Partial eclipse phase ends at 1:51 a.m. ET, as the shadow recedes
• Penumbral phase concludes at 3:01 a.m. ET, marking the end of the event

Where the Eclipse Will Be Visible

This eclipse offers unusually broad visibility. All of North America will catch at least a portion of the event, with the East Coast and much of the Midwest positioned to see the entire sequence unfold from start to finish. Alaska and the West Coast will join partway through, after the eclipse has already begun. South America will also see the full event from start to finish, while portions of the Southern Hemisphere will have a partial view as well. That kind of hemisphere-wide reach is relatively rare, making this a shared moment for skywatchers well beyond the United States.

Tips for the Best Viewing Experience

Those planning to stay up for the show can take a few simple steps to maximize the experience:

• Check local weather and cloud cover ahead of time
• Seek out a darker location away from heavy light pollution
• Allow 20 to 30 minutes for eyes to adjust to the darkness
• Avoid phone screens and other bright lights while watching
• Dress for the weather and bring a blanket, chair or sleeping bag for comfort

Unlike meteor showers, which often demand remote, light-free locations for optimal viewing, this eclipse doesn’t require escaping the city. As long as the sky is clear and unobstructed by buildings or clouds, the moon should be visible from virtually any vantage point, making this a rare astronomical event that’s easy to catch without much planning. For anyone willing to stay up a little later than usual, it’s a low-effort way to witness something the sky won’t offer again anytime soon.

Source: USA Today