The total duration of the eclipse, from the start of the penumbral phase to the end, is five hours and 38 minutes. The penumbral phase of the eclipse will last one hour and 10 minutes.

The eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, North and South America, and western Asia. An estimated 3.6 billion people, or 44.4% of the world's population, will be in a position to view at least part of the eclipse.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon, blocking solar light from reaching the lunar surface. The reddish color of the moon during a lunar eclipse is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere, where blue wavelengths are scattered and red wavelengths pass through.

On average, lunar eclipses occur two to three times per year. Total lunar eclipses make up approximately 29% of all lunar eclipses.

The moon's orbit around the Earth is tilted about five degrees compared to the Earth's orbit around the sun. The next total lunar eclipse will occur on December 31, 2027, to January 1, 2028.

The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the lake sturgeon, a key food source for Indigenous tribes during this season. The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, which were readily caught during this part of summer and served as an important food staple for Native Americans in the region.

During the eclipse, the Moon's position low on the horizon will cause the Moon illusion, making it appear larger and more dramatic than usual due to the way brains process visual information alongside familiar ground objects. In Houston, the partial eclipse begins at 9:34 p.m. CDT, peaks at 11:13 p.m. CDT, and ends at 12:52 a.m. CDT. In Wyoming, the peak maximum of the eclipse is expected to occur at 10:00 p.m. In Oregon's Willamette Valley, the maximum eclipse will occur around 9:12 p.m.

Why It Matters

The event represents an astronomical occurrence visible to nearly half the global population, with specific timing variations across different time zones in North America. The partial nature of the eclipse, covering 96% of the lunar face, offers a distinct viewing experience compared to total eclipses, which constitute only about 29% of such events.

Understanding the mechanics of the eclipse, including the tilt of the moon's orbit and the atmospheric scattering that creates the reddish hue, provides context for why these events do not occur every month. The safety of naked-eye viewing removes barriers to public observation, while the cultural significance of the Sturgeon Moon connects the astronomical event to historical Indigenous practices in the Great Lakes region.

Timeline

On August 27, 2026, a partial lunar eclipse will occur on the evening of August 27, 2026, continuing into the early hours of August 28, 2026.

In the United States, the eclipse will begin at 9:23 p.m. ET on August 27, 2026, and end at 3:01 a.m. ET on August 28, 2026. In Peoria, Illinois, the penumbral phase begins at 8:23 p.m. CDT, the partial phase begins at 9:33 p.m. CDT, and the maximum eclipse occurs at 11:12 p.m. CDT.

In North Carolina, the penumbral eclipse begins at 9:24 p.m. EDT, the partial eclipse begins at 10:34 p.m. EDT, and the maximum eclipse occurs at 12:13 a.m. EDT. Approximately 96% of the Moon's face will fall into Earth's shadow during the maximum phase of the eclipse.

What's New

Later reporting provided specific local timings for various regions, noting that in North Carolina, the penumbral eclipse begins at 9:24 p.m. EDT, the partial eclipse begins at 10:34 p.m. EDT, and the maximum eclipse occurs at 12:13 a.m. EDT.

Reports also stated that in Wyoming, the peak maximum of the eclipse is expected to occur at 10:00 p.m. and in Oregon's Willamette Valley, the maximum eclipse will occur around 9:12 p.m.

Additional context confirmed that viewing a lunar eclipse is safe for the naked eye and does not require protective filters. It was also noted that August's full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon.