Spectacle in the Sky on August 28: Where the Full Moon Will Be Visible

The end of summer will be marked by one of this year’s most impressive astronomical phenomena.

In the early hours of August 28, the Full Moon will undergo a deep partial lunar eclipse, an event expected to be watched by millions of observers.

The phenomenon occurs when Earth is positioned between the Sun and its natural satellite. Under these conditions, the planet’s shadow extends into space, creating a distinctive interplay of light and darkness.

Because the Sun is a broad disk rather than a point source, Earth’s shadow narrows as it extends through space, forming a cone-shaped structure.

On August 28, the Full Moon will first pass through the penumbra before moving almost entirely into Earth’s umbra.

No special glasses or filters are required, as lunar eclipses can be viewed safely with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses.

Observers with binoculars or a small telescope will also be able to see more clearly the curved edge of the shadow as it gradually moves across the lunar surface.

However, the Moon will not disappear completely into darkness. Earth’s atmosphere will act as a giant filter, bending and filtering the Sun’s rays.

Atmospheric gases scatter blue light, while red and orange wavelengths pass through and illuminate the Moon.

As a result, the lunar surface may take on pink, dark red or rust-colored hues, giving rise to the phenomenon’s well-known name, the “Blood Moon.”

During this eclipse, up to 96% of the Moon’s disk will be covered, creating a striking contrast between the illuminated area and the reddish portion.

The phenomenon will be visible from several regions of Earth, but viewing opportunities and times will vary depending on location.

In North and South America, the best conditions will be during the night of August 27-28, when the Moon will be high in the sky.

In Europe, including Italy, the eclipse will be visible before dawn on August 28, as the Moon approaches the horizon and sets in the west.