Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse Turns Moon Red on August 28

A deep partial lunar eclipse turned the moon a vivid reddish-orange hue on the night of August 28, 2026, captivating skywatchers across North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. The celestial event, often called a blood moon, saw more than 96 percent of the lunar surface slip into Earth's darkest shadow, creating a dramatic display that lasted for several hours. The eclipse began at approximately 9:23 p.m. EDT and concluded around 3:02 a.m. EDT on August 29, according to data from NASA. Its peak intensity occurred at 12:13 a.m. EDT, when 96.3 percent of the moon was cloaked in the umbra, the central part of Earth's shadow. This level of coverage made it a particularly deep partial eclipse, falling just short of totality. The striking red color is a result of basic physics. As sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, shorter blue wavelengths are scattered away, while longer red and orange wavelengths are bent toward the moon. This filtered light illuminates the lunar surface during the eclipse, producing the characteristic coppery glow. Atmospheric conditions, such as dust and clouds, can further amplify the deep red tone.