August 27 2026 near-total lunar eclipse reddens Moon worldwide
Heads up, skywatchers!
On Thursday night, August 27, 2026, a near-total lunar eclipse will turn the moon a reddish-orange as Earth's shadow covers 96% of its surface.
The show will be visible to nearly 1 billion people across the Americas and over 3 billion worldwide, including parts of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Peak occurs just after midnight EDT
The whole eclipse lasts about 5.5 hours, with the best part, when most of the moon is covered, happening just after midnight EDT.
If you're in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East, you'll catch it before moonset; folks in Hawaii will see it rising, while those in northwestern North America and the eastern Pacific will see it getting a late start.
Second lunar eclipse of 2026
This is only the second lunar eclipse of 2026 (after this month's solar eclipse), and you won't get another total lunar eclipse until New Year's Eve 2028, so if you love space events or just want an excuse to stay up late with friends, don't miss it!