August 2026 lunar eclipse explained

Type:partial
Date:August 28, 2026
Gamma:−0.4694
Magnitude:0.9319
Saros Ser:138
Saros No:30 of 83
Partiality:198 minutes, 7 seconds
Penumbral:337 minutes, 46 seconds
P1:1:23:55
U1:2:33:48
Greatest:4:12:49
U4:5:51:55
P4:7:01:41
Previous:March 2026
Next:February 2027

A partial lunar eclipse will occur at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Friday, August 28, 2026,[1] with an umbral magnitude of 0.9319. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A partial lunar eclipse occurs when one part of the Moon is in the Earth's umbra, while the other part is in the Earth's penumbra. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of Earth. Occurring about 6 days after perigee (on August 22, 2026, at 4:20 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter will be larger.[2]

This lunar eclipse will be the last of an almost tetrad, with the others being on March 14, 2025 (total); September 8, 2025 (total); and March 3, 2026 (total).

Visibility

The eclipse will be completely visible over North and South America, seen rising over the central Pacific Ocean and setting over Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.[3]

Eclipse details

Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.[4]

August 28, 2026 Lunar Eclipse Parameters! Parameter! Value
Penumbral Magnitude1.96645
Umbral Magnitude0.93187
Gamma0.49644
Sun Right Ascension10h26m57.9s
Sun Declination+09°42'52.7"
Sun Semi-Diameter15'50.0"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.7"
Moon Right Ascension22h26m06.3s
Moon Declination-09°18'03.6"
Moon Semi-Diameter15'18.2"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax0°56'09.9"
ΔT72.3 s

Eclipse season

See also: Eclipse cycle. This eclipse is part of an eclipse season, a period, roughly every six months, when eclipses occur. Only two (or occasionally three) eclipse seasons occur each year, and each season lasts about 35 days and repeats just short of six months (173 days) later; thus two full eclipse seasons always occur each year. Either two or three eclipses happen each eclipse season. In the sequence below, each eclipse is separated by a fortnight.

Related eclipses

Eclipses in 2026

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 138

Inex

Triad

Half-Saros cycle

A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days (a half saros).[5] This lunar eclipse is related to two total solar eclipses of Solar Saros 145.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: August 27–28, 2026 Partial Lunar Eclipse. timeanddate. 19 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England. timeanddate. 19 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Partial Lunar Eclipse of 2026 Aug 28. NASA. 19 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Partial Lunar Eclipse of 2026 Aug 28. EclipseWise.com. 19 November 2024.
  5. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros