The 96% ‘Almost Blood Moon’: How the Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse of August 27-28 Unfolded

Skywatchers across much of the world got a treat overnight on August 27 into August 28, 2026, as the Moon slid deep into Earth’s shadow for one of the most striking lunar eclipses in years. Although technically classified as a partial eclipse, it came remarkably close to totality. At maximum eclipse, 96.2% of the moon was immersed in Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of our planet’s shadow, meaning only a thin sliver of the lunar surface remained directly illuminated by the sun while the rest of the moon took on a deep reddish-orange hue.

Astronomers had been anticipating this event for months, and for good reason. The eclipse was visible from Europe, Africa, North America and South America, with just over 96% of the moon passing into Earth’s shadow. That level of coverage made it exceptionally rare. It was the first deep partial lunar eclipse anywhere in the world since September 2024, and the last until January 2028, meaning it stood as the most impressive lunar eclipse until a total lunar eclipse arrives in December 2028.

The Americas had a front-row seat. The United States had some of the best viewing conditions, with the entire eclipse visible across much of the central and eastern US. In the western states, the Moon rose after the event had already begun, though the maximum was still visible in many locations, while South America enjoyed excellent conditions with the Moon high in the sky. Meanwhile, in the UK and much of Europe a clear western horizon was essential as the Moon approached moonset, and West Africa had good viewing conditions that became less favorable farther east.

So why did the Moon barely escape a total eclipse this time? It comes down to precise geometry. Scientists distinguish between two ways of measuring an eclipse’s depth. Umbra magnitude is the fraction of the Moon’s diameter covered by the umbra, while obscuration is the area covered by the umbra. By either measure, this event pushed right up to the edge of totality without quite crossing it, leaving just enough of the lunar disk exposed to sunlight to keep it technically partial.

For anyone who caught the show, the visual payoff was substantial. Observers watched a distinctive color transition as the shadow deepened. Around the time of greatest eclipse, a pale turquoise band appeared between the bright penumbral sliver and the reddened disk, a hue caused by sunlight filtered through the stratospheric ozone layer, which absorbs red light. That coppery glow across most of the Moon’s face is the same phenomenon that produces the classic “blood moon” look during total eclipses—sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere and painting the lunar surface in warm tones.

One of the best parts of a lunar eclipse is how accessible it is. A lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with your eyes alone, unlike a solar eclipse, and no equipment is required, though binoculars or a small telescope can make the colors and contrasts more striking. It’s also bright enough to see from cities and suburbs, making it far more accessible than many other astronomical events.

By the early morning hours, the spectacle wound down as quietly as it had begun. After five hours and 38 minutes, the Aug. 27-28 lunar eclipse officially ended when, at 3:01 a.m. EDT, the moon completely left Earth’s penumbral shadow. For those who missed it or were clouded out, the next chance at something similar is still a couple of years away, but for one late-summer night, the sky delivered an unforgettable near-total transformation of the full Moon.