Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse to be Visible Across Brazil and Chile

A deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible across Brazil and Chile between Thursday, August 27, and Friday, August 28. At the peak of the phenomenon, approximately 96% of the Moon will be covered by the Earth's shadow. The event is safe to view with the naked eye and does not require special protective equipment. The Moon may appear reddish or orange because the Earth's atmosphere bends longer red wavelengths of light toward the satellite while scattering blue light.

In Brazil, the peak of the eclipse is expected at 1:13 a.m. Brasília time on Friday. The partial phase, where the shadow is most visible, will occur between 11:34 p.m. Thursday and 2:52 a.m. Friday. In Chile, the event is scheduled to begin at 9:23 p.m. Thursday, reaching its maximum at 12:12 a.m. and ending at 3:01 a.m.

Several public viewing events are organized in Brazil. In Itajubá, Minas Gerais, the Federal University of Itajubá and the National Astrophysics Laboratory will host a free event featuring telescopes and scientific experiments. In Porto Velho, Rondônia, the Astronomy and Science Club of Rondônia will provide professional equipment for public use at the Espaço Alternativo. For those facing cloudy skies, the National Observatory will provide online transmissions via YouTube.

Astronomers explain that lunar eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align with the Earth positioned in the middle. This specific event is classified as partial because a small portion of the Moon remains outside the umbra, which is the darkest part of the Earth's shadow. The next similar lunar eclipse visible under favorable conditions in Brazil is not expected until January 12, 2028.