August's Partial Lunar Eclipse: The 'Almost Blood Moon' Visible in the United States
Tonight, August's partial lunar eclipse, also known as the "almost blood moon," will be visible in certain parts of the United States. The East Coast and parts of the Midwest will have the opportunity to witness the entire eclipse from start to finish on Thursday, Aug. 27, according to NASA. The West Coast will only see the eclipse after it has already begun. Additionally, the eclipse will be visible in western Europe, western Africa, and the Southern Hemisphere, with South America having the best view of the entire eclipse. Despite being a partial eclipse, 96% of the moon will be covered by Earth's shadow, giving it the appearance of an "almost blood moon."
The eclipse is set to begin at 9:23 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 27, and will reach its maximum eclipse at 12:12 a.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 28. It will be visible across the country, from New York City to Hawaii, but not every state will have a full view of the eclipse. The East Coast and parts of the Midwest will witness the entire eclipse, while the West Coast will only see it after it has started. Alaska and Hawaii will catch the eclipse towards the end as Earth's shadow begins to move away from the moon.
Weather conditions may impact visibility, with the East and West Coasts expected to have some cloud cover around the time of the eclipse's peak. However, areas in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest are forecasted to have clearer skies. Observers do not need any visual aids to view the eclipse, as it is visible to the naked eye. It is recommended to find an unobstructed view of the eastern and western horizons, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a blanket or chair for comfort while watching the eclipse.
Moving away from light pollution is not necessary to view the eclipse, as long as there is a clear view of the sky where buildings and clouds won't obstruct the sight of the moon. Whether you are on the East Coast, West Coast, or anywhere in between, you should be able to enjoy the spectacle of the partial lunar eclipse tonight.