A week ago, the Sun and Moon put on a spectacular show as the Moon’s shadow swept over Greenland, Iceland, and Spain in a total solar eclipse. Pittsburgh experienced a 3% glancing coverage of the Sun. However, on Thurs., Aug. 27 and into the early hours of Fri., Aug. 28, the Moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, and we will witness a lunar eclipse. As partial lunar eclipses go, this one will provide a lovely sight at 93% coverage of the lunar disc.

At 10:35 p.m. the Moon will enter the umbra, the part of Earth’s shadow that completely blocks the light of the Sun. This is the moment when noticeable darkening of the full moon begins to be observed. By 12:14 a.m., the partial eclipse will reach its peak, and the Moon’s coloration will be shifting shades of red-orange. Dramatic reds, often viewed during eclipses, may not be in full hue because this eclipse will not achieve complete totality. However, it is the deepest lunar eclipse since 2024, then we wait for the next impressive lunar eclipse to line up on Dec. 31, 2028.

By 3:02 a.m., the “Sturgeon Moon” of August will be completely out of Earth’s shadow. For early morning gazers, the bright light of Saturn is back in view and can be found gleaming to the east of the Moon, dangling below the great square of Pegasus.