A near-total lunar eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Thursday night
Aug. 26, 2026, 7: 09 PM EDT.
Aug. 26, 2026, 7: 09 PM EDT.
Article outline
- What happened
- What comes next
- The key numbers
- The bottom line
Key points
- The eclipse will additionally be visible elsewhere in North America, South America, parts of Europe and Africa.
- During the eclipse, Earth's shadow will appear reddish orange on the lunar surface since of the way Earth's atmosphere scatters light from the sun.
- The eclipse will peak at 12: 12 a.m.
- Lunar eclipses occur when Earth slips between the sun and the moon and casts a shadow on the lunar surface.
- Thursday's eclipse will commence at 9: 23 p.m.
Two weeks after a total solar eclipse wowed skywatchers in southern Europe, a near-total lunar eclipse is due to put on a show Thursday night for individuals throughout North and South America.
Lunar eclipses occur when Earth slips between the sun and the moon and casts a shadow on the lunar surface. During this week's event, almost the entire moon – 96.2% at the eclipse's peak – will be shrouded in Earth's shadow.
Weather permitting, skywatchers in the continental U.S. Will have some of the best views. The eclipse will additionally be visible elsewhere in North America, South America, parts of Europe and Africa.
During the eclipse, Earth's shadow will appear reddish orange on the lunar surface since of the way Earth's atmosphere scatters light from the sun. That's why a total lunar eclipse is additionally known as a "blood moon."
Thursday's eclipse will commence at 9: 23 p.m. When the moon first enters the outer part of Earth's shadow, ET. The real action gets underway, nevertheless, at 10: 33 p.m. When Earth's shadow starts to envelop the lunar surface, appearing to take a "bite" out of the lunar disk, ET.
Notably, the eclipse will peak at 12: 12 a.m. When more than 96% of the lunar surface will be shrouded, ET. The event will end at 3: 01 a.m. ET when the moon exits the outer edge of Earth's shadow.
Taken together, the developments around a near-total lunar eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Thursday night point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.
