SEBASTIAN — Residents across Sebastian and the Treasure Coast will be able to watch a deep partial lunar eclipse late Thursday night into early Friday, weather permitting.
The eclipse, sometimes called a near-total or “blood moon” event, occurs the night of Aug. 27 and continues into the early hours of Aug. 28. Nearly 96% of the moon will pass through Earth’s dark shadow, giving the full moon a reddish-orange appearance for several hours.
On Thursday at 10:33 pm, the partial phase will begin. The moon will gradually darken and take on a deeper red hue as more of its surface moves into the shadow. Maximum coverage will be on Friday at 12:12 am, when only a thin, bright edge remains visible. The partial phase ends around 1:52 am.
No special glasses are required. The eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye. Binoculars or a small telescope can provide a closer look at the shadow’s edge and the reddish coloration.
The reddish tint happens because sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere and bends toward the moon, much like the colors seen at sunrise and sunset. Astronomers note this will be one of the deepest partial lunar eclipses visible from Florida until later in the decade.
Clear skies are the main requirement. The moon will already be well above the horizon when the partial phase starts and will remain high during the peak hours.
Local viewers can step outside any location with a clear view of the southern or southeastern sky.