Home / Science / Rare Red Moon Eclipse Next Week!
Rare Red Moon Eclipse Next Week!
21 Aug
Summary
- A partial lunar eclipse will turn the moon red, visible to Californians.
- The eclipse occurs August 27-28, peaking at 12:12 a.m. ET.
- No special eyewear is needed to witness this celestial event.
Skywatchers in California and across North America will have the opportunity to witness a captivating partial lunar eclipse on August 27-28. During this event, a significant portion of the moon will traverse Earth's shadow, casting a distinct reddish hue often referred to as a "blood moon."
This rare celestial spectacle occurs due to Rayleigh scattering, where Earth's atmosphere refracts sunlight onto the moon, projecting the world's sunrises and sunsets onto its surface. The eclipse will commence at 9:38 p.m. ET on August 27 and conclude on August 28 at 3:01 a.m. ET. Maximum coverage, when 93% to 96% of the moon will be obscured by Earth's umbra, is anticipated at 12:12 a.m. ET.
Unlike the need for specialized protection during solar eclipses, this lunar event is safely visible to the naked eye. While binoculars or telescopes can enhance the viewing experience, they are not essential. This upcoming "blood moon" eclipse marks the last such opportunity for North American observers for over three years, with the next total lunar eclipse visible from the continent scheduled for June 26, 2029.
