Partial lunar eclipse will be visible in several Brazilian cities with public observation events

One of the most interesting astronomical sights of the year will take place this evening: a partial lunar eclipse that will occur on the night from Thursday to Friday (27th to 28th). According to Olhar Digital, this will be the last eclipse of 2026.

The phenomenon promises to attract attention due to the high degree of darkening of the Moon's surface, which may take on dark shades ranging from brown to reddish-copper, resembling an almost total lunar eclipse.

The good news is that this 'total-looking' partial lunar eclipse will be visible from anywhere in Brazil, provided there are favorable meteorological conditions and clear skies. Since the eclipse will happen early in the morning, the Moon will be high in the sky, which will facilitate observing the Earth's shadow covering part of the lunar disk.

In addition to South America, this event will also be well visible across North America, Europe, and Africa.

How to find out when the lunar eclipse can be seen in your city

To find out the exact time to observe the lunar eclipse in your locality, you can use specialized astronomy websites and applications. For example, the Time and Date platform provides information on the start and end times of the eclipse, as well as the precise moments of each phase. You just need to enter the city name or coordinates of the location to get the relevant time frames.

Sky observation apps can also help. Programs such as Star Walk 2, Stellarium Mobile, and Sky Tonight allow you to check eclipses and other astronomical phenomena based on the user's location. These tools enable you to find out not only the time of the event but also the exact position of the Moon in the sky during the eclipse.

The visibility of the eclipse will depend solely on the weather. However, even if cloud cover prevents direct observation, you can follow the event live online. Olhar Digital is broadcasting this spectacle from 11:00 PM Brazilian time on Thursday, using images from the National Observatory.

There are growing expectations regarding the partial lunar eclipse that will occur early on Thursday (27) and Friday (28), with live coverage available through Olhar Digital. This event will be particularly notable in Brazil, as the Moon will present good viewing conditions across all its regions.

Although it is not a total eclipse, the phenomenon will be quite intense, as more than 96% of the lunar disk will remain within the umbra, the darkest area of the shadow cast by the Earth. Consequently, almost the entire Moon may take on a reddish color during the peak of the event.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, obstructing some of the sunlight that would otherwise be directed at the satellite. The Earth's shadow is then projected onto the lunar surface, causing the visible darkening of the Moon.

The reddish hue appears because a portion of the sunlight manages to pass through the Earth's atmosphere before reaching the Moon. The atmosphere acts as a filter, retaining most of the blue colors and allowing the predominant passage of orange and reddish tones, which indirectly illuminate the satellite.

More than five hundred years ago, a lunar eclipse played a significant role in the history of an expedition. In 1504, during his fourth transatlantic voyage, Christopher Columbus and his crew were stranded in Jamaica in a progressively worsening situation.

The journey was already facing difficulties; two ships were lost, and the remaining ones were so damaged they could no longer sail. With no possibility of departure, the Europeans had to wait for aid in an area little known to them.

Initially, the island's native peoples, identified in historical records as Arawak, welcomed the visitors kindly, establishing an exchange of food for objects, which ensured the crew's survival for a period.

However, as months passed, the relationship began to deteriorate. Due to the risk of food shortages, Columbus opted to use his astronomical knowledge to persuade the local inhabitants to continue providing provisions.

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Columbus analyzed astronomical records and identified that a lunar eclipse was scheduled for March 1, 1504. According to historical accounts, he warned the local leaders that a sign of divine dissatisfaction would appear in the sky if food was not provided.

When the Moon began to darken and acquire a reddish tone, the Arawaks were supposedly terrified. Columbus then used this phenomenon to strengthen his narrative and manage to get more food delivered to the crew.

This episode illustrates how knowledge of celestial movements was already capable of predicting eclipses with considerable advance notice. However, for those unfamiliar with the scientific explanation, a suddenly dark and red Moon could have been interpreted as something supernatural.

The night between Thursday (27th) and Friday (28th) will feature the last eclipse of 2026, which will be a partial lunar event. This phenomenon is expected to attract significant attention due to the high level of darkness that will cover the lunar surface, potentially giving it dark hues ranging from brown to coppery red, resembling almost a total lunar eclipse.

The good news is that this partial lunar eclipse, with characteristics similar to a total one, can be observed anywhere in Brazil, provided weather conditions are favorable and the sky is clear. If there is cloudiness or other obstructions to direct viewing, the public can follow the spectacle in real-time online, as Olhar Digital will broadcast starting at 11 PM Brasília time, using images provided by the National Observatory.

According to the platform Starwalk.space, the coverage of the lunar disk will exceed 96%. In technical assessments, the event is also registered with a magnitude of 0.93. This discrepancy between 96% and 93% is attributed to different calculation methods, but both indicators point to an event very close to a total eclipse.

It is important to note that despite the reddish coloration and high coverage, this is not a 'Blood Moon' (popular term for a total lunar eclipse). This occurs because a small portion of the Moon will remain outside Earth's densest shadow, continuing to receive direct sunlight, although this difference is subtle to the naked eye during the peak of the event.

Eclipse Schedule

The eclipse will begin discreetly at 10:23 PM on Thursday, when the Moon enters the penumbra, the outermost area of Earth's shadow, without major perceptible changes in the celestial body's brightness. The partial phase, characterized by the darker shadow beginning to cover the Moon directly, will start around 11:33 PM. The moment of maximum coverage will occur at 1:12 AM on Friday, when approximately 96% of the lunar disk is obscured. The partial phase should end around 2:52 AM, and the penumbral stage will continue until shortly after 4 AM.

Brazil is well positioned to observe the phenomenon, as the Moon will remain high in the sky for much of the early morning hours, benefiting observation in various regions. The Moon's altitude will fluctuate between 59 and 85 degrees relative to the ground. In the North, Northeast, and Central-West areas, the satellite will be nearly at the zenith of the celestial dome during the early morning. In the Southeast and South states, the practical suggestion is to look north to locate the bright and high satellite.

Cause of Reddish Coloration

The reddish coloration is a result of the Earth's atmosphere. During the eclipse, sunlight must pass through the planet's gaseous layer before reaching the Moon. Along this path, the atmosphere scatters blue light more easily, allowing orange and red tones to penetrate the air and reach the shadowed region of the Moon. Some of this light is then reflected by the lunar surface and returns toward Earth. This same principle explains why the sky takes on reddish tones during sunrise and sunset. However, the appearance of the Moon can change depending on the presence of dust, smoke, pollution, and atmospheric humidity, making a clear sky ideal for a clearer view and to enhance the coppery tones of the satellite.