On the night of August 27-28, people across the country will have the opportunity to witness a partial lunar eclipse. This event follows closely after a total solar eclipse that occurred in Iceland, Spain, and a small part of Portugal about two weeks ago. The upcoming lunar eclipse will be a deep partial one, with a maximum coverage of 93 percent.

Lunar eclipses happen when the moon moves through Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. Before entering the umbra, the moon passes through the penumbra, Earth’s outer and dimmer shadow. However, the penumbra is challenging to see with the naked eye due to its faintness.

Most areas in Canada will witness the entire eclipse duration, with Western Canada catching a glimpse of the partial eclipse as the moon rises. Unlike a solar eclipse, watching a lunar eclipse does not require protective eyewear, and the event unfolds over several hours rather than minutes.

The lunar eclipse on August 27-28 will be visible across North and South America. The eclipse will commence as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, with the visible phase starting at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27 and concluding at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The deepest part of the eclipse is expected at 12:13 a.m., with almost the entire moon appearing darkened.

Elaina Hyde, the director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University, mentioned that August has been a month filled with significant astronomical events. Although the partial eclipse may not result in a “blood moon,” certain areas in Canada may witness a reddish hue. Lunar eclipses are accessible to observe without any special equipment, making them a great visual spectacle for everyone.