Just two weeks after a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse will take place and be visible across North America, according to NASA.
Next week, the moon will put on an interstellar show, and a partial lunar eclipse will take place, according to NASA. Unlike the solar eclipse, the entire United States will be able to see all or part of the lunar eclipse. This will also happen during August's full moon, also known as the Sturgeon Moon.
There are multiple types of lunar eclipses. During a partial lunar eclipse, only a part of the moon will be covered by Earth's shadow. This is different from a total lunar eclipse, which happens when the entire moon is covered by our planet's shadow.
While it is a partial eclipse, about 93% of the moon will be covered, according
to NASA.
Here's what to know.
When is the August 2026 lunar eclipse?
The eclipse will begin on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 9:23 p.m. ET, according to Time and Date. It will reach maximum eclipse when the moon is most covered, on Friday, Aug. 28, at 12:12 a.m. ET.
Who will be able to see the lunar eclipse?
All of North America will be able to see part or all of the lunar eclipse, according to NASA. The East Coast and parts of the Midwest will see the full eclipse, while Alaska and the West Coast will see only part of it.
The eclipse will also be visible in the Southern Hemisphere, and all of South America will see the full eclipse.
Lunar eclipse vs. solar eclipse: What's the difference?
Eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align, according to NASA. However, the order in which they align determines whether it is a lunar or solar eclipse.
Solar eclipse
A solar eclipse can occur during a new moon. The sun and moon have to align on the same side of the Earth. When it happens, the moon moves between the Earth and the sun and completely blocks the sun's light from reaching Earth.
When the sun is completely blocked by the moon, it is known as the period of totality. During this time, the sky darkens, and viewers can remove their eclipse glasses to view our planet's moon blocking our star.
Lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse can occur on the night of the full moon. During the eclipse, Earth moves between the moon and the sun and casts a shadow onto the moon, according to NASA.
This happens because the moon does not produce its own light. When the moon looks big, beautiful and bright, it's actually acting like a ginormous mirror and reflecting the sun's light down to Earth.
Tips for stargazing
Those who plan to stay up at night to watch all these magnificent events should do the following:
If you plan to watch, experts recommend:
- Check the weather and cloud cover in your area to ensure conditions are optimal for viewing the celestial events.
- Find a dark location away from light pollution.
- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
- Avoid looking at phones or bright lights.
To be as comfortable as possible, dress appropriately for the weather, use bug spray and bring a blanket, a sleeping bag or a reclining chair to lie on.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A lunar eclipse is happening soon. When to look up
