Lunar eclipse to light up the sky on August 28
Around 96% of the Moon will move into Earth’s shadow during the eclipse. The eclipse will reach its peak at 4:13am UTC on August 28, according to meteorological officials and astronomers. At that time, nearly 96% of the Moon will be inside Earth’s darker shadow.
Moon may turn reddish-orange
Astronomers say the Moon could appear reddish-orange during the partial lunar eclipse. The colour change may create a beautiful view as most of the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow.
The event will not be classified as a total lunar eclipse because a small part of the Moon will remain outside the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. This is why the event is being described as a partial lunar eclipse.
Why does a lunar eclipse happen?
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon. Earth then blocks some of the sunlight reaching the Moon, causing its shadow to fall across the lunar surface.
The Moon’s brightness can change noticeably during the event. In some cases, it may appear red or orange, a sight commonly known as a ‘blood moon’.
Can Pakistan see the eclipse?
The 2026 partial lunar eclipse will be visible from some parts of the world. However, people in Pakistan will not be able to observe this particular eclipse.
The event is expected to attract attention because most of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow. Skywatchers in regions where the eclipse is visible will have an opportunity to observe the unusual colour and changing appearance of the Moon.
The eclipse is a natural result of the movement of the Earth, Moon and Sun. Its reddish appearance can make the event especially interesting for skywatchers.
Although Pakistan will miss this eclipse, people elsewhere will get a chance to see the Moon change during the event. The exact visibility depends on the location and local sky conditions.
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