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Stargazing - Near Total Lunar Eclipse

The Moon appears red during a total lunar eclipse over New Orleans, home of NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, on March 3, 2026. This “blood moon” occurs during a total lunar eclipse, as Earth lines up between the Moon and the Sun. When this happens, the only light that reaches the Moon’s surface is from the edges of Earth’s atmosphere. The air molecules from Earth’s atmosphere scatter out most of the blue light. The remaining light reflects onto the Moon’s surface with a red glow, making the Moon appear red in the night sky. This is the same effect that turns the sky pink, orange, and red at sunrise and sunset.  Image credit: NASA/Michael DeMocker
Thursday, August 27, 2026
12:00 am - 1:00 am
Stargazing Devils Astronomy Club

Join the Stargazing Devils to watch an exceptional lunar eclipse at midnight (12 AM) on the night of Aug. 27th. The Full Moon will slip through Earth's shadow, resulting in a partial lunar eclipse. It will be visible from much of North and South America and parts of Europe and Africa. At maximum eclipse, about 93% of the Moon's diameter will be inside Earth's dark central shadow, called the umbra. The Moon will not be completely covered, but it can look dramatically darkened, with a rusty, coppery tint along the covered edge.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch with just your eyes. Binoculars or a small telescope can give you a closer view of Earth's curved shadow moving across the Moon. Source - NASA

Check the Duke Teaching Observatory Website for updates (link below)

Contact: Yuriy Bomze