There’s something magical about watching the Moon slowly disappear into shadow.

On the night of August 27–28, 2026, skywatchers around much of the world will have a chance to see a spectacular deep partial lunar eclipse. The Moon won’t quite disappear completely.  This eclipse falls just short of totality, but Earth’s shadow will cover more than 90% of the lunar disk, leaving much of the Moon dramatically darkened and potentially glowing with a coppery or reddish color.

Whether you’re an experienced astrophotographer or someone who simply enjoys looking up at the night sky, this is an event worth putting on the calendar.

A lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to move through Earth's shadow.

There are three basic types:

• Total lunar eclipse: The entire Moon passes into Earth's darkest shadow, the umbra.
• Partial lunar eclipse: Only part of the Moon enters the umbra.
• Penumbral lunar eclipse: The Moon passes through the lighter outer portion of Earth's shadow, producing a much subtler change in brightness.

The August 2026 event is a particularly deep partial eclipse. NASA lists it as visible from the Americas, Europe, and Africa, with the eclipse occurring on August 28 in Universal Time.

One of the most beautiful things about lunar eclipses is the possibility of a red, orange, or copper colored Moon.

During a lunar eclipse, some sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere before reaching the Moon. Earth's atmosphere scatters away much of the shorter blue light while allowing more of the longer red and orange wavelengths to continue through. That light can illuminate the eclipsed portion of the Moon.

It's essentially all the world's sunsets and sunrises being projected onto the lunar surface at once.

The exact color can vary considerably, from rusty orange to deep red or brown, depending partly on conditions in Earth's atmosphere.

And because the August eclipse is partial rather than total, you may see a particularly striking combination: a bright portion of the Moon alongside a much darker, reddish section.

The great news for photographers is that lunar eclipses are much easier to photograph safely than solar eclipses. You don't need special solar filters to photograph or view the Moon during a lunar eclipse.

For the biggest, most detailed Moon images, use a telephoto lens. A lens around 400mm or longer can produce impressive lunar detail, while shorter lenses are better suited to including the surrounding landscape.

Start with:

• A sturdy tripod
• A telephoto lens
• Manual focus
• RAW image capture
• A low ISO, such as 100–400
• An aperture around f/5.6–f/8
• A remote shutter release or your camera's self-timer

Don't treat those settings as a fixed recipe. The Moon's brightness changes dramatically throughout the eclipse, so adjust your shutter speed as the Moon enters Earth's shadow. The darker the Moon becomes, the longer the exposure you'll need. 

Focus manually on the Moon before the eclipse gets underway. Autofocus can become unreliable as the scene gets darker.

You don't need expensive astrophotography equipment to document the event.

A modern smartphone can capture the eclipse, especially if you focus on the overall scene rather than trying to fill the entire frame with the Moon.

Try:

1. Mounting your phone on a tripod or other stable surface.
2. Turning off the flash.
3. Tapping on the Moon to focus.
4. Reducing exposure if the bright portion of the Moon is blown out.
5. Using a camera app that provides manual exposure controls if your phone supports them.
6. Taking several exposures with different brightness settings.

A wide-angle photograph that includes the Moon, landscape, trees, buildings, or silhouettes can sometimes tell a more compelling story than a tightly cropped Moon photo.

A lunar eclipse can be seen from a huge part of Earth. 

Unlike a solar eclipse, which is visible only along a relatively narrow path, a lunar eclipse can be seen from essentially the entire nighttime side of Earth - provided the Moon is above the horizon.  

Lunar eclipses are always safe to watch - no special equipment needed

You can watch a lunar eclipse with your unaided eyes, binoculars or a telescope.  Unlike solar eclipses which require high density filters and safe eclipse glasses.  It's a great way to introduce young kids to astronomy. 

Lunar Eclipses Can Go Red! 

The reddish color comes from the Earth's atmosphere.  Light travelling through our atmosphere is filtered and scattered before some of it reaches the moon so from our point of view, the Moon turns red! 

Lunar Eclipses Come in Families

Lunar eclipses follow a repeating pattern known as Saros cycles.  After roughly 18 years and 11 days, a related eclipse occurs with very similar geometry, although it is visible from a different part of Earth.  NASA maintains extensive historical and future eclipse records, including thousands of years of eclipse data.   This eclipse is part of Saros 138, and will be the deepest partial eclipse of the cycle.  Meaning in 18 years, this cycle will have it's first total lunar eclipse.  

You don't need a telescope or sophisticated camera to enjoy the eclipse.

Find a location with a clear view of the sky, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Binoculars can reveal additional lunar detail, while a telescope can make the changing boundary between light and shadow especially fascinating.

For photographers, arrive early and set up before the eclipse begins. Check the weather, charge your batteries, clear space on your memory card, and take a few test photographs of the full Moon before the lighting begins to change.

Most importantly, remember to look up from the camera.

The best lunar-eclipse photograph isn't necessarily the sharpest or most technically perfect one. Sometimes it's the image that captures the feeling of standing beneath a dark sky while Earth's enormous shadow slowly sweeps across another world.

The August 27–28, 2026 partial lunar eclipse is a reminder that everyone can enjoy some of the most spectacular astronomical events. All you really need is a clear night, a view of the Moon, and a little patience.

So charge the camera, grab the binoculars, invite some friends outside, and get ready to watch Earth's shadow cross the Moon.