A rare partial lunar eclipse is scheduled to transform the full Moon into a deep reddish hue, providing a stunning celestial event for skywatchers later this week. However, this spectacle will not be visible in all regions, as detailed eclipse data reveals varying visibility worldwide.
The eclipse, occurring on Friday, August 28, results from the Sun, Earth, and Moon aligning closely enough for the Moon to pass through Earth’s shadow. This alignment causes the Moon, also known as the Sturgeon Moon during this period, to adopt an eerie red or coppery tint when it enters the darkest part of Earth’s shadow.
Visibility of the eclipse differs by location. Some areas will observe the entire partial eclipse, while others will see only portions of it or just the faint penumbral phase, where the Moon passes through the lighter outer shadow of Earth.
The eclipse will begin over the Pacific and the Americas on the evening of August 27 before moving across western Europe and western Africa in the early hours of August 28. In the United States, Los Angeles will witness the eclipse starting at 7:33 pm, peaking at 9:13 pm, and concluding at 10:52 pm. New York will experience it beginning at 10:33 pm on August 27, reaching maximum at 12:13 am on August 28, and ending at 1:52 am.
In Mexico City, the eclipse will start at 8:33 pm, peak at 10:13 pm, and finish by 11:52 pm. Buenos Aires in Argentina will see the event from 11:33 pm on August 27, peaking at 1:13 am on August 28, and ending at 2:52 am.
Europe will also witness the phenomenon, with Lisbon being among the first capitals to see the partial lunar eclipse starting at 3:33 am, peaking at 5:13 am, and ending at 6:52 am on August 28. London’s eclipse timings are similar, beginning at 3:33 am, reaching maximum at 5:12 am, and concluding at 6:52 am. Paris and Berlin will observe the eclipse starting at 4:33 am, peaking at 6:12 am, and ending at 7:52 am.
In Africa, Accra, Ghana, will experience the eclipse earliest at 2:33 am, with the maximum at 4:13 am and ending at 5:52 am. Lagos, Nigeria, and Luanda, Angola, will both see the eclipse from 3:33 am, peaking at 5:13 am, and ending at 6:52 am.
Notably, Pakistan will not witness the dramatic deep-red phase of this partial lunar eclipse. Observers in Pakistan will only see a limited penumbral phase, where the Moon passes through the lighter outer shadow of Earth and does not enter the darker umbra. This means the Moon will not display the characteristic reddish glow observed elsewhere.
However, Pakistan will have an opportunity to observe a penumbral lunar eclipse on February 21, 2027, which will begin at 02:12:22 local time, offering a subtle but notable lunar event.
