Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Tonight, the Moon will turn red. Are you ready? 🌕
96.2% of the lunar surface will be hidden in Earth's shadow on August 27, 2026—a lunar eclipse that will make the surface of the moon appear to be an ominous red. So what is a lunar eclipse? And can you look at it safely?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon enters the shadow of the Earth opposite the Sun, so that Earth's shadow sweeps over the Moon's surface. An eclipse of the Moon can be seen under similar conditions at all places on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. Lunar eclipses occur only at full moon—but they don't happen every month. Why?
Learn more from Britannica:
What Is a Lunar Eclipse? britannica.com/science/lunar-eclipse
What Causes Lunar and Solar Eclipses? britannica.com/story/what-causes-lunar-and-solar-eclipses
How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses? britannica.com/story/how-do-you-tell-the-difference-between-total-annular-solar-and-lunar-eclipses
Eclipses in 2026, 2027, and 2028: britannica.com/topic/upcoming-eclipses
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#EncyclopaediaBritannica
Inspiring curiosity and the joy of learning since 1768.
Web: britannica.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Britannica
Twitter: twitter.com/Britannica
Instagram: instagram.com/Britannica
Tonight, the Moon will turn red. Are you ready? 🌕
96.2% of the lunar surface will be hidden in Earth's shadow on August 27, 2026—a lunar eclipse that will make the surface of the moon appear to be an ominous red. So what is a lunar eclipse? And can you look at it safely?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon enters the shadow of the Earth opposite the Sun, so that Earth's shadow sweeps over the Moon's surface. An eclipse of the Moon can be seen under similar conditions at all places on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. Lunar eclipses occur only at full moon—but they don't happen every month. Why?
Learn more from Britannica:
What Is a Lunar Eclipse? britannica.com/science/lunar-eclipse
What Causes Lunar and Solar Eclipses? britannica.com/story/what-causes-lunar-and-solar-eclipses
How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses? britannica.com/story/how-do-you-tell-the-difference-between-total-annular-solar-and-lunar-eclipses
Eclipses in 2026, 2027, and 2028: britannica.com/topic/upcoming-eclipses
~~~
#EncyclopaediaBritannica
Inspiring curiosity and the joy of learning since 1768.
Web: britannica.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Britannica
Twitter: twitter.com/Britannica
Instagram: instagram.com/Britannica
