A lunar eclipse is set to grace the night sky later this month as stargazers will be treated to another stunning sky event.
The upcoming eclipse will follow the deep partial solar eclipse on Wednesday (August 12).
Millions all over the country took to public hotspots to enjoy the rare event, which was the first of its kind for nearly 30 years.
Now, a lunar eclipse will follow, and here is how and when to see it.
August 2026 is bringing not one, but TWO eclipses. Don’t panic—it’s not the apocalypse. 🌞🌕
This quick video shows how solar and lunar eclipses work, why they’re different, and which celestial body is hiding what. Watch it—and share it with the friend most likely to panic. 😉… pic.twitter.com/xAvhpvBqDC— Star Walk (@StarWalk) August 11, 2026
Date and time of the lunar eclipse in the UK?
A partial lunar eclipse will take place in the early hours of August 28, roughly two weeks after the solar eclipse on August 12.
The eclipse will begin at 3.33am, and will reach its maximum at 5.12am, when around 90% of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra.
During the peak, the Moon will appear red, earning the nickname ‘blood moon.’
This effect is caused by sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere, which filters and refracts the light before it reaches the Moon.
The eclipse will be best viewed from locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon, as the Moon will be low in the sky.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that darkens the lunar surface.
Solar and lunar eclipses occur in pairs, with a lunar eclipse always taking place roughly two weeks before or after a solar eclipse.
When is the next solar eclipse?
Earlier this week, UK skywatchers witnessed the most significant solar eclipse since 1999, with more than 90% of the Sun obscured by the Moon.
Crowds gathered at iconic locations including the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, Stonehenge in Wiltshire, Calton Hill in Edinburgh, and outside Queen’s University in Belfast.
People used special eclipse glasses and homemade viewers made from cereal boxes and colanders to safely observe the event.
Just hours later, the Perseid meteor shower reached its peak in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through a trail of dust left by Comet Swift–Tuttle.
Each particle enters the atmosphere at around 60 kilometres per second, burning up and creating a bright streak in the sky.
Another total solar eclipse will not be visible from the UK again until 2090.
The closest approach before then will be on September 3, 2081, when up to 99% of the Sun will be covered, with southern areas once again expected to have the best view.
Recommended reading:
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However, there will be other notable partial eclipses in the coming decades:
- 2030 - 50% coverage
- 2053 - 40% coverage
- 2066 - 60% coverage
- 2075 - 70% coverage
- 2082 - 70% coverage
- 2088 - 40% coverage
Will you be watching the lunar eclipse? Let us know in the comments.
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