Californians will have the opportunity to observe a partial lunar eclipse, often referred to as a "blood moon," on the night of August 27 and into the early morning of August 28. During this event, a significant portion of the full moon will pass through the Earth's shadow, resulting in a distinct reddish coloration.
This phenomenon occurs due to Rayleigh scattering, a process where Earth's atmosphere filters sunlight and projects it onto the moon. NASA likens this effect to seeing "all the world's sunrises and sunsets projected onto the Moon."
The eclipse is expected to begin at 6:38 p.m. PT on August 27 and conclude at 12:01 a.m. PT on August 28. The peak of the eclipse, when the moon will be most obscured, is anticipated at 9:12 p.m. PT on August 27, offering the best viewing opportunity across North America. At its maximum, 93% of the moon will be within Earth's darkest shadow, the umbra, according to NASA.
Unlike solar eclipses, which necessitate protective eyewear, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye. However, those wishing for a closer look can use binoculars or a telescope to observe the Earth's shadow moving across the lunar surface.
This partial blood moon eclipse marks the last such event visible in North America for over three years. A total lunar eclipse is scheduled for June 26, 2029, and another will occur on December 31, 2028, though it will not be visible from North America.