Partial lunar eclipse August 2026: When and how to watch in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. - In a few days, the Earth's shadow will cover 96% of the moon's surface in a partial lunar eclipse. 

As each phase occurs simultaneously for viewers around the world, your viewing region will determine when the eclipse will be most visible. 

For Floridians, the eclipse will begin after 10 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27 and overnight into Friday. 

What is a partial solar eclipse? 

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth gets exactly between the sun and the moon.

Instead of the sun's light hitting the moon and reflecting back to us (which is what we normally see), the Earth blocks that light, casting its own shadow onto the lunar surface – turning it a reddish color.

For this eclipse, only a tiny sliver will not be red as 96% of the moon will be in the hard shadow of the Earth. It's almost a total lunar eclipse, but not quite.

What will the partial lunar eclipse look like? 

Due to the event being a partial eclipse, most of the moon will be in the hard shadow of the moon giving it the red effect.

The entire moon won't be red, but it will be close. 

When is the partial solar eclipse? 

Timeline:

The partial eclipse can be viewed in Florida, starting at 10:23 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27. It will reach peak coverage at 12:12 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. 

Are glasses needed to view the partial lunar eclipse? 

You won't need any special glasses to view it safely, though binoculars will make the shadow's colors pop.

FloridaSpace