Residents across the High Desert will have the opportunity to witness a spectacular partial lunar eclipse on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026.
The eclipse will reach its maximum at approximately 9:12 p.m. PDT, when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across most of the moon’s surface. During the peak of the event, an estimated 93% to 96% of the moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow, leaving only a small portion illuminated.
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to view with the naked eye. No special eclipse glasses are required, although binoculars or a telescope can provide a closer look at the moon’s surface and the gradual movement of Earth’s shadow.
August’s full moon is traditionally known as the Sturgeon Moon, a name given by the Indigenous Algonquin and Anishinaabe peoples. The name refers to the time of year when lake sturgeon, a large freshwater fish found throughout the Great Lakes and other northern waterways, were most easily caught as they moved into shallow waters to feed. The fish served as an important food source for many Native American communities, making the annual full moon a seasonal marker for fishing and harvesting.
