The Moon Will Turn Copper-Red as Earth’s Shadow Sweeps Across It

Orange County skywatchers have a special reason to look east on the evening of Thursday, August 27.

A deep partial lunar eclipse will unfold across the night sky, with nearly the entire Moon entering Earth’s darkest shadow. At maximum eclipse, approximately 96% of the Moon’s disk will be inside Earth’s umbra, leaving only a thin, brightly illuminated portion of the Moon outside the shadow.

While this won’t technically be a total lunar eclipse, it will come remarkably close—and it is the deepest partial lunar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth until December 2028.

For Orange County observers, the event will be especially interesting because the Moon will rise in the east-southeast just as the eclipse is getting underway.

🔭 When Can You See the Eclipse in Orange County?

Here’s the timeline for Orange County:

All times are local Pacific Daylight Time.

The most important time to remember is 9:12 PM, when the eclipse reaches maximum from Orange County.

At that point, the Moon will be about 22 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon, making it much easier to see than it was when it first rose.

🌅 Look Low in the Eastern Sky

There’s one important challenge for Orange County observers: the Moon will be very low on the horizon when the partial eclipse begins.

The Moon rises around 7:15 PM, and the partial phase begins only about 18 minutes later.

That means trees, buildings, hills and other obstructions could easily block your view.

For the best chance of seeing the beginning of the eclipse, find a location with a clear view toward the east-southeast. A hilltop, open field, beach or other unobstructed location can make a big difference.

By maximum eclipse at 9:12 PM, the Moon will be considerably higher in the sky.

🔴 Why Will the Moon Turn Red?

As Earth’s shadow moves across the Moon, the eclipsed portion can take on a reddish, copper or rusty color.

That happens because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere is bent toward the Moon. Earth’s atmosphere scatters away much of the blue light, while red and orange wavelengths can continue through the atmosphere and reach the lunar surface.

It’s the same basic atmospheric effect responsible for the red and orange colors we see during some sunsets.

So while Earth is blocking direct sunlight from reaching the Moon, our atmosphere is still able to send a faint reddish glow its way.

The result can be spectacular: a darkened Moon with a glowing copper-red section surrounded by the night sky.

🌑 Why Is This Called a Partial Eclipse?

During a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon passes into Earth’s umbra—the darkest central portion of Earth’s shadow.

During this event, the Moon doesn’t quite make it all the way into the umbra.

Instead, about 96.2% of the Moon will enter the umbra at maximum eclipse, leaving a small portion of the lunar surface directly illuminated by the Sun.

That’s why this eclipse will look dramatically different from an ordinary full Moon, but it won’t become completely immersed in Earth’s shadow.

With almost the entire Moon inside the umbra, however, the distinction between a deep partial and total lunar eclipse will be visually very small.

👀 Do You Need a Telescope?

No!

One of the best things about a lunar eclipse is that you don’t need special equipment to enjoy it.

The eclipse can be watched with the naked eye, making it an excellent event for families, casual skywatchers and anyone curious about astronomy.

Binoculars can make the experience even more interesting by revealing more detail along the Moon’s surface.

And if you have a telescope, this is a great opportunity to watch Earth’s shadow slowly move across the lunar landscape.

Unlike a solar eclipse, you do not need special eclipse glasses or a solar filter to look at the Moon during a lunar eclipse.

📸 Want to Photograph It?

A lunar eclipse can also be a fun target for astrophotography.

If you’re using a camera with a telephoto lens or a telescope, experiment with different exposures as the eclipse progresses. The brightness of the Moon will change dramatically as more of its surface enters Earth’s shadow.

For a more memorable photograph, consider including something in the foreground:

• 🌴 Palm trees
• 🏙️ Orange County buildings
• 🌊 The coastline
• ⛰️ Local hills
• 🌴 Silhouettes of trees
• 🔭 A telescope with the Moon overhead

Including a recognizable Orange County landscape can turn an ordinary eclipse photograph into something uniquely local.

🌌 Make It a Night of Stargazing

Once you’re outside watching the eclipse, don’t stop looking at the sky.

As the Moon becomes darker, more stars become easier to see around it. If you’re observing from an area with less light pollution, take a few minutes to scan the surrounding sky for constellations, bright stars and other celestial objects.

The eclipse is a great reminder that you don’t need to travel hundreds of miles to experience astronomy.

Sometimes, you just need to step outside and look up.

⭐ Your Orange County Eclipse Checklist

Before heading outside, make sure you have:

☑️ A clear view toward the east-southeast
☑️ A location without buildings or trees blocking the horizon
☑️ A comfortable chair or blanket
☑️ Binoculars or a telescope, if available
☑️ A camera or smartphone for photography
☑️ A weather check before heading out
☑️ A little patience

The eclipse will last for hours, so there’s no need to watch every minute.

If you only have time for one part of the event, try to be outside around 9:12 PM, when the eclipse reaches maximum in Orange County.

🌕 Look Up, Orange County

Tonight’s eclipse is a reminder of the incredible geometry happening above us.

Earth will pass directly between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. For a few hours, we will get to watch that shadow move across another world from right here in Orange County.

And with nearly the entire Moon entering Earth’s darkest shadow, this isn’t an ordinary lunar eclipse.

So find a clear view of the eastern sky, grab a chair, and look up.

🌌 The universe is putting on a show tonight.

Clear skies, Orange County! 🔭✨