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Near-total lunar eclipse to cover 96% of the moon over the Americas

A 5.5-hour partial lunar eclipse will be fully visible across North and South America, with partial visibility spanning Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Updated Aug 24, 2026 · 02:15 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • A deep partial lunar eclipse will mask 96% of the moon's surface overnight from Thursday into Friday.
  • Nearly 1 billion people across the Americas are in position to view the entire event, while over 3 billion globally will see at least part of it.
  • The full sequence will last 5.5 hours, peaking shortly after midnight EDT, with astronauts in orbit also potentially able to observe.
  • The next total lunar eclipse is not expected until late 2028, with the Americas waiting until 2029 for another full lunar eclipse.

Key facts

  • The partial lunar eclipse will obscure roughly 96% of the moon's surface as Earth passes between the sun and the moon.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • The entire event will span 5.5 hours, featuring a partial phase lasting over three hours and reaching its peak shortly after midnight EDT.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Almost 1 billion people in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America will have access to the full eclipse, while over 3 billion people globally can view partial phases.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Ten people currently in orbit—seven on the International Space Station and three on China's space station—may also view the event from space.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • This event is the fourth eclipse overall this year, following a total lunar eclipse in March and a total solar eclipse two weeks prior.[ABC News · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • Local visibility for ground observers will depend on weather and cloud cover during the overnight hours.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Sources