Mark your calendars for an astronomical event at the end of this month. A lunar eclipse will be visible across the United States on the night of Thursday, August 27, continuing into the early hours of Friday, August 28.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the shadow of the Earth. Unlike a solar eclipse, this event is safe to watch with the naked eye. Observers will see the moon transition into a rusty, coppery color, which is why it earned the nickname blood moon. While the event is visible throughout North America, those in the eastern half of the U.S. will have the best vantage point to see the shadow move across the surface.
Nearly 96% of the moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow at its maximum. In Eastern Daylight Time, the maximum view happens at 12:12 a.m. on Friday, August 28. For other time zones, the peak occurs earlier: 11:12 p.m. Central, 10:12 p.m. Mountain, and 9:12 p.m. Pacific on the night of August 27.
While the entire event lasts several hours, you should plan to be outside at the maximum time for the best view. Keep in mind that local weather conditions, such as cloud cover or smoke from regional wildfires, can affect how clearly you can see the moon. Hawaii and Alaska are less ideal for viewing because the sun sets too late to catch the full maximum, though residents may see the final stages of the process just after sunset.