Skywatchers may be in for a rare treat overnight Thursday, August 27, and Friday, August 28, with a deep partial lunar eclipse coinciding with potential northern lights.
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Skywatchers could be in for a very rare and special sight overnight on Thursday, Aug. 27, and Friday, Aug. 28, with the potential for northern lights to become visible across parts of the northern U.S. during a deep partial lunar eclipse.
The coincidence of a dramatic almost-“blood moon” eclipse and a possible aurora display comes as space weather forecasters monitor the arrival of a high-speed stream of solar wind and an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection, creating the potential for minor to moderate geomagnetic storm conditions. Here’s how to photograph the northern lights with a phone.
Blood Moon Eclipse Timing
On the night of Aug. 27-28, the full Sturgeon Moon will pass almost entirely through Earth’s darkest shadow, creating a spectacular 96.2% partial lunar eclipse visible across North America, South America, Europe and Africa.
Although it falls just short of totality, the moon will take on a deep reddish-orange hue, making it the most impressive lunar eclipse until the end of 2028. At maximum eclipse, only a thin sliver will remain in direct sunlight, giving much of the lunar disk the appearance of a classic “blood moon” — and making the night sky dark.
The eclipse will be visible anywhere the moon is above the horizon under clear skies, with North and South America enjoying the best views. Observers there will be able to watch the entire event unfold over 5 hours and 38 minutes, with maximum eclipse occurring simultaneously at 12:12 a.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 28 (9:12 p.m. PDT on Thursday, Aug. 27). Unlike a solar eclipse, the entire event is completely safe to observe with the naked eye. It requires no eclipse glasses or special equipment.
When Is The Best Time To Watch?
Although the eclipse lasts more than five and a half hours, the most dramatic views will come around maximum eclipse, when 96.2% of the moon is immersed in Earth’s dark umbral shadow and takes on its deepest reddish-orange “Blood Moon” appearance. For those hoping to catch both the northern lights during the eclipse, the period around maximum eclipse could provide the best opportunity if geomagnetic activity peaks as forecast. While the eclipsed moon will dominate the southern sky, any aurora would appear low above the northern horizon, creating the possibility of an exceptionally rare two-direction celestial display. In North America, maximum eclipse occurs at:
- 12:12 a.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 28
- 11:12 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Aug. 27
- 10:12 p.m. MDT on Thursday, Aug. 27
- 9:12 p.m. PDT on Thursday, Aug. 27
- 8:12 p.m. AKDT on Thursday, Aug. 27
Observers across the eastern half of North America will be able to watch the eclipse from beginning to end as the moon gradually moves into and then out of Earth’s shadow. On the West Coast, however, the moon will rise already partially eclipsed, with maximum eclipse occurring later in the evening.
Aurora Forecast During The Lunar Eclipse
According to the UK Met Office’s Space Weather Operations Centre, there is a chance of G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm conditions on Thursday, Aug. 27, and Friday, Aug. 28, following an Earth-directed CME produced by a moderate solar flare. Kp 5 intensity activity is possible. An incoming high-speed solar wind stream is expected to increase geomagnetic activity beginning late on Thursday, Aug. 27, with the CME set to arrive at Earth on Friday, Aug. 28 — though nothing is guaranteed. The Met Office forecasts geomagnetic conditions becoming “Unsettled to Active” with “an increasing chance of G1/Minor Storm (Kp 5) intervals” before the CME helps maintain elevated activity into Friday.
NOAA is forecasting mostly quiet geomagnetic conditions through midday on Aug. 27 before activity increases to unsettled and G1 storm levels as the high-speed solar wind stream arrives. NOAA also forecasts G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions are likely on Aug. 28 due to the anticipated arrival of the CMEs.
The agreement increases confidence that aurora could become visible across parts of the northern U.S., particularly if the CME and high-speed solar wind arrive as expected. If geomagnetic activity peaks near the time of maximum eclipse, some observers could have the rare opportunity to see a reddish eclipsed moon in the southern sky while faint green or red aurora shimmer low above the northern horizon.
Where The Northern Lights Could Be Visible
If G1 geomagnetic storm conditions develop, the aurora could become visible from dark locations across northern-tier U.S. states near the Canadian border. Potential viewing areas include Alaska and parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, provided skies remain clear.
Should geomagnetic activity briefly strengthen to G2 levels, the auroral oval could expand farther south, potentially allowing photographers in states such as Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York to capture faint displays. However, visibility is never guaranteed.
Best Viewing Conditions
Aurora visibility will ultimately depend on the strength of the solar wind, cloud cover, light pollution and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. Even during a G1 or G2 geomagnetic storm, some locations may see only a faint glow detectable primarily through smartphone Night Mode or long-exposure photography.
Skywatchers hoping to witness both celestial events should head to a dark location with unobstructed views of both the northern and southern horizons. The eclipsed moon will be positioned in the southern sky while any aurora will appear low to the north. Real-time aurora forecasts can change quickly as the solar wind reaches Earth, so monitor conditions throughout the night. Use apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast or Glendale Aurora for up-to-the-minute alerts and live solar wind data.
If the forecast holds, Thursday night could deliver one of the most unusual celestial spectacles of the decade: a deep “Blood Moon” eclipse accompanied by the possibility of shimmering northern lights.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.