TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A dramatic "almost blood moon" will light up the night sky over the United States in late August 2026 as a deep partial lunar eclipse coincides with the full moon. Although it won't be a total lunar eclipse, up to 96 percent of the moon will be covered by Earth's shadow, giving it a reddish-orange appearance that's similar to a classic blood moon.
What Is the August Blood Moon?
Citing USA Today, the August celestial event is a deep partial lunar eclipse, during which about 96 percent of the moon will pass through Earth's shadow. Unlike a total lunar eclipse, where the entire moon is engulfed by the planet's shadow, a small portion of the lunar surface will remain illuminated.
A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the moon takes on a reddish color. This happens because Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight while allowing more red light to pass through and illuminate the moon. Since the August eclipse will not completely cover the moon, it is often referred to as an "almost blood moon."
The moon is traditionally known as the Sturgeon Moon. The name originates from the sturgeon, a large freshwater fish that was once plentiful in North America's Great Lakes during late summer, when they were easier to catch. These ancient fish can grow more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and weigh around 200 pounds (90 kilograms).
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, sturgeon have existed for about 136 million years. Indigenous communities living around the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain historically relied on the fish as a late-summer food source. Today, there are roughly 29 recognized species of sturgeon worldwide.
When Is the Blood Moon in the US?
The partial lunar eclipse will occur on August 27–28, 2026, depending on your time zone. For much of the United States, the moon will rise already partially eclipsed, with the eclipse reaching its maximum on Friday 28, at 12:12 a.m. ET.
Where Can You See It?
Skywatchers across the United States will have one of the best views of the eclipse. However, NASA said the partial lunar eclipse will also be visible in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and the East Pacific.
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