Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of August 17, 2027
- Type
- Penumbral lunar eclipse
- Peak (UTC)
- August 17, 2027, 07:13 UTC
- Umbral phase
- None; penumbra only
- Saros series
- 148
The night side of Earth facing the Moon sees it, centered on the Pacific.
A penumbral eclipse this shallow produces no visible change in the Moon at all. We include it for the record, not as something to watch.
Global timeline (UTC)
A lunar eclipse happens at the same instant for everyone; only your clock and your Moon's position differ. Convert from UTC, or use the location panel below to check whether the Moon is up at each stage for you.
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Penumbral eclipse begins | 05:23 UTC |
| Maximum eclipse | 07:13 UTC |
| Penumbral eclipse ends | 09:03 UTC |
What you will see from your location
Enter a location (or use your device's) and we check whether the Moon is above your horizon at each stage of the eclipse, all in your browser.
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What a penumbral lunar eclipse is
In a penumbral eclipse the Moon passes only through the penumbra, the pale outer fringe of Earth's shadow, and never touches the dark umbra. The result is a subtle dimming of one side of the Moon that is difficult to notice by eye. Astronomers track penumbral eclipses because they belong to the same Saros cycles as their dramatic siblings, but as a spectacle they rank near the bottom.
Frequently asked questions
When is the penumbral lunar eclipse of August 2027?
Greatest eclipse comes on August 17, 2027 at 07:13 UTC. What you see, and when, depends on where you stand; use the location panel on this page for your own local timeline.
Where will the August 2027 lunar eclipse be visible?
The night side of Earth facing the Moon sees it, centered on the Pacific.
Is it safe to watch a lunar eclipse?
Completely. A lunar eclipse is just the full Moon passing through Earth's shadow; it needs no filters or equipment. Binoculars simply make it better.
What is a Saros series?
Eclipses repeat in families called Saros series: 6,585.3 days (about 18 years 11 days) after any eclipse, the Sun, Moon and lunar nodes return to nearly the same geometry and produce a near-copy shifted a third of the way around Earth. This eclipse belongs to Saros series 148. Our Saros cycle profile explains the whole mechanism.
Keep exploring: the Eclipse Explorer for any date and location, our Saros cycle profile for why eclipses repeat, and how eclipses work from first principles.