Do I need a telescope to watch a lunar eclipse?

No. Lunar eclipses are naked-eye events and completely safe to watch. Binoculars can enhance the colour, but nothing is required.

Why does the Moon turn red?

During totality the only sunlight reaching the Moon is bent through Earth's atmosphere, which filters out blue light and leaves a reddish glow — the same effect that reddens sunsets.

Eclipses

Partial Lunar

Partial Lunar Eclipse — 28 August 2026

Friday, August 28, 2026 at 04:12 AM

T-00:00:00:00DHMS

Magnitude

Partial — part of the Moon enters Earth's shadow

Duration

Partial phase lasts about 199 minutes

Visibility

Visible from the night side of Earth

Global timeline (UTC-based, shown in your timezone)

Penumbral eclipse beginsAug 28, 01:23 AM
Partial eclipse beginsAug 28, 02:33 AM
Maximum eclipseAug 28, 04:12 AM
Partial eclipse endsAug 28, 05:52 AM
Penumbral eclipse endsAug 28, 07:02 AM

About this eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse, when only part of the Moon enters Earth's dark umbral shadow.

Lunar eclipses are visible from the entire night side of Earth at once and are completely safe to watch with the naked eye — no equipment needed.

Frequently asked

Eclipses

Partial Lunar

Partial Lunar Eclipse — 28 August 2026

Friday, August 28, 2026 at 04:12 AM

T-00:00:00:00DHMS

Magnitude

Partial — part of the Moon enters Earth's shadow

Duration

Partial phase lasts about 199 minutes

Visibility

Visible from the night side of Earth

Global timeline (UTC-based, shown in your timezone)

Penumbral eclipse beginsAug 28, 01:23 AM
Partial eclipse beginsAug 28, 02:33 AM
Maximum eclipseAug 28, 04:12 AM
Partial eclipse endsAug 28, 05:52 AM
Penumbral eclipse endsAug 28, 07:02 AM

About this eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse, when only part of the Moon enters Earth's dark umbral shadow.

Lunar eclipses are visible from the entire night side of Earth at once and are completely safe to watch with the naked eye — no equipment needed.