partial lunar eclipse · New Zealand — 28 August 2026

A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow. The Sun, Earth and Moon have to line up closely enough for Earth to block direct sunlight from reaching part or all of the Moon.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be watched from anywhere on the night side of Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. That is why one event can matter across whole countries and continents, while the exact local answer still depends on your position.

In a total lunar eclipse the whole Moon enters Earth’s dark umbra. In a partial lunar eclipse only part of the Moon enters the umbra. In a penumbral eclipse the Moon passes through Earth’s lighter outer shadow, so the effect can be subtle.

The eclipse type tells you what the event can become globally. Your local page still matters because Moonrise, Moonset and altitude decide which of those phases are actually visible from your horizon.

During deeper umbral eclipses, sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon. Shorter blue light is scattered more strongly, while red and orange light can continue around Earth and illuminate the lunar surface.

The colour is not guaranteed to look the same every time. Atmospheric dust, cloud and the depth of the eclipse can make the Moon appear copper, brick red, brownish or only dimmer than usual.

A lunar eclipse is geographically broad, but the practical viewing problem is local. If maximum eclipse happens before Moonrise or after Moonset, you may only catch part of it, or none of it.

Altitude is just as important as time. A Moon only a few degrees above the horizon can be hidden by buildings, hills, trees or haze even when the eclipse is technically visible.

You do not need eclipse glasses for a lunar eclipse. Binoculars, a tripod or a telephoto lens can help, but the eclipsed Moon is safe to view directly with the naked eye.

For photography, stabilise the camera, reduce exposure compared with a normal night scene, and expect settings to change as the Moon darkens. Include a horizon or landmark if the Moon is low, but keep a clear line of sight in the direction SunPoint gives you.