Stargazers will have the chance to witness a major lunar eclipse on August 28, 2026. The celestial event will cover approximately 96% of the moon’s surface at its peak, turning the lunar disk a deep shade of red. What Causes a Lunar Eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth aligns directly between the Sun and the Moon during a full moon. This positioning causes Earth to project its shadow across the lunar surface. Depending on the alignment, three types of eclipses can occur: Total Lunar Eclipse: The moon enters Earth’s inner shadow (umbra), creating a reddish appearance often referred to as a “Blood Moon.” Partial Lunar Eclipse: Earth’s umbra shadow covers only a portion of the moon, making it look as though a section is missing. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: The moon moves through Earth’s faint outer shadow (penumbra), producing a subtle dimming that can be difficult to spot. Global Visibility and Timing The August 28 eclipse will be fully visible across North and South America, giving around one billion people an optimal view. Partial phases will also be visible from parts of Europe, Africa, and West Asia, reaching approximately 44% of the global population. Regions experiencing daylight hours during the event—including India, Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific Rim—will not be able to view the eclipse. In India, public interest in the timings has been notable due to the event coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Eclipse Schedule (Indian Standard Time) Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 06:53 AM IST Partial Eclipse Begins: 08:04 AM IST Maximum Peak Eclipse: 09:43 AM IST Partial Eclipse Ends: 11:22 AM IST Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 12:32 PM IST Post navigation POCO M8x 5G Set to Launch with Leather Finish and 7,900mAh Battery: Key Features and Specifications Google Releases Android Pulse App on Play Store as System Diagnostic Tool
