A partial lunar eclipse, set to occur on the evening of August 27 and into the early hours of August 28, is expected to lend the moon a distinctive copper-red color, visible across the continental United States. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as a "blood moon," occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that partially obscures the lunar surface.
Approximately 96 percent of the moon will enter Earth's darkest inner shadow, known as the umbra, during the eclipse. Scientists anticipate this will be sufficient to give much of the moon a reddish hue. The partial eclipse will commence at 10:34 p.m. ET on Thursday and reach its peak at 12:12 a.m. ET on Friday, concluding at 1:51 a.m. ET.
While astronomers highlight the natural beauty of the event, the "blood moon" has also ignited discussions online, with some social media users drawing connections to biblical prophecies. A verse from the Book of Joel (2:31) reads, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come." This passage is often interpreted as a symbol of cosmic disturbances and divine judgment.
The "blood moon" has a long history of being associated with biblical prophecy, frequently viewed as a harbinger of significant events or divine intervention. Other biblical passages, including Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12, also describe the moon turning red during apocalyptic occurrences. Believers often interpret these verses as signs foretelling times of upheaval, judgment, or salvation.
The celestial event will be observable across most of the Americas, excluding Alaska, and also in western Europe and western Africa. The eclipse begins with the moon entering Earth's penumbra, a lighter outer shadow that causes a subtle darkening. The more dramatic phase begins as the moon enters the umbra, where the reddish hue becomes apparent. The partial phase is expected to last over three hours, with the entire eclipse spanning approximately five and a half hours.
This upcoming eclipse follows a similar event on August 16, 2008, and precedes another anticipated on September 7, 2044.