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A Moonshadow transformed the night sky Aug. 27 as the full moon moved into Earth's shadow, creating a dramatic deep partial lunar eclipse visible across large portions of the Americas, Europe and Africa. At the height of the event, 96.3% of the moon's disk was inside Earth's darkest shadow, producing the coppery-red appearance often associated with a "blood moon."

The eclipse continued into Aug. 28 in some time zones. NASA classified the event as a deep partial lunar eclipse rather than a total lunar eclipse because a small portion of the moon remained outside the Earth's umbra.

The spectacle gave skywatchers another opportunity to observe one of the most familiar but striking astronomical events involving the Earth, moon and sun.

A Moonshadow Crosses the Full Moon

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, causing the moon to pass through Earth's shadow. Unlike a solar eclipse, which requires special eye protection, a lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the unaided eye. Binoculars or a small telescope can provide additional detail.

There are three principal stages of a lunar eclipse. The penumbral phase begins as the moon enters the faint outer portion of Earth's shadow. The partial phase follows as the darker umbra gradually covers part of the lunar surface. During a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon enters the umbra.

The Aug. 27-28 event stopped just short of totality.

Why the Moon Turns Red

The reddish color associated with a blood moon is caused by Earth's atmosphere.

Although Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the moon, some sunlight passes through the atmosphere around the edges of the planet. Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths more readily than longer red and orange wavelengths.

The remaining reddish light is bent toward the moon, giving the lunar surface an orange, copper or red appearance.

NASA describes the same basic atmospheric effect as the reason sunsets can take on red and orange colors.

The amount of dust, clouds and other material in Earth's atmosphere can also affect the color and intensity of the eclipsed moon.

The Moon's Orbit Makes Moonshadow and Eclipse Events Uncommon

A lunar eclipse might seem as though it should occur every month because the moon completes an orbit around Earth roughly every 27.3 days. But the moon's orbital plane is tilted relative to Earth's path around the sun.

Because of that tilt, the moon usually passes above or below Earth's shadow during a full moon. An eclipse occurs only when the geometry of the sun, Earth and moon lines up closely enough for the moon to enter the planet's shadow.

NASA explains that eclipse seasons occur during periods when the sun, Earth and moon are aligned in a way that makes solar and lunar eclipses possible.

 August's Moonshadow was a Long-Lasting Event

The Aug. 27-28 eclipse unfolded over several hours. NASA's eclipse data shows the moon entering the Earth's shadow and reaching maximum eclipse at 4:13 a.m. UTC, when 96.3% of the lunar disk was within the umbra.

The entire event was not equally visible everywhere. Depending on an observer's location, the moon could have risen after the eclipse had already begun or set before the event ended.

In the Americas, observers in favorable locations could see the eclipsed moon relatively low in the sky. A clear horizon and an unobstructed view were therefore important for getting the best look.

Solar Eclipse and Moonshadow Events

Lunar eclipses do not occur in isolation. Solar and lunar eclipses typically occur within the same eclipse season, a period lasting roughly 35 days when the geometry of the Earth, moon and sun makes eclipses possible. NASA notes that eclipse seasons occur about twice each year.

That means skywatchers can often anticipate a sequence of solar and lunar events rather than treating each eclipse as an isolated occurrence.

NASA's current eclipse information provides dates and visibility details for upcoming events, including a penumbral lunar eclipse in February 2027.

Additional Information

For an official explanation of lunar eclipses, readers can visit NASA's Eclipses and the Moon page, which explains total, partial and penumbral lunar eclipses.

NASA also provides detailed information about the August 27-28, 2026 deep partial lunar eclipse, including visualizations showing how the moon moved through Earth's shadow.

Readers can also see NASA's photograph of the August 2026 lunar eclipse over Louisiana, captured as the moon passed through Earth's shadow.

For previous lunar-eclipse coverage by Jackie Allen at USA Herald, see Total Eclipse of the Blood Red Moon, which examined the March 2025 blood moon.

Allen also wrote Total Eclipse of the Blood Red Moon Coming This Weekend, covering an earlier total lunar eclipse.

Another Jackie Allen skywatching article is Skywatchers: Tuesday Brings a Total Eclipse of the Blood Moon.

For additional USA Herald coverage, readers can explore the site's celestial spectacle articles, which include several astronomy stories by Jackie Allen.