Utahns braved cloud cover to observe a partial lunar eclipse on August 28, 2026, as the Moon passed through a portion of Earth's shadow. The celestial event, which was visible across the Americas, occurred despite weather conditions in the Salt Lake Valley that included a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
The Mechanics of Lunar Eclipses
The partial lunar eclipse was part of a broader series of cosmic alignments that occur between four and seven times per year. These events happen when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align to create a shadow show. Because the Moon's orbit is tilted relative to Earth's orbit around the Sun, these eclipses do not occur every month.
Shadows and Color Changes
During a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow obscures the Moon. In a partial lunar eclipse, an imperfect alignment results in the Moon passing through only a part of Earth's umbra, causing the shadow to grow and recede without entirely covering the lunar surface.
In contrast, a total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, known as the umbra. During such events, the Moon can take on a reddish or orangish hue. This color change happens because Earth's atmosphere filters sunlight, scattering shorter wavelengths like blue and violet while allowing longer wavelengths, such as red, to pass through and reach the lunar surface.
Weather Forecast for Salt Lake Valley
Weather conditions in the Salt Lake Valley on August 24, 2026, included a high temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit with a thunderstorm warning issued at Salt Lake City International Airport. The forecast for the period included cloudy conditions and a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, which could impact visibility for astronomical events.
Upcoming Lunar Eclipses
Looking ahead to future celestial events, NASA data indicates that the Americas will be among the regions to witness a penumbral lunar eclipse on February 20-21, 2027. This event will be visible from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, and parts of Western Europe.
Future Solar Eclipses
Other upcoming solar eclipses include an annular event on February 6, 2027, visible in parts of South America and Africa, and a total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, expected to be visible in southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Recent Solar Events
The solar eclipse cycle also includes a total eclipse on August 12, 2026, which was visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Portugal.
Atmospheric Effects on Visibility
The Moon's appearance during an eclipse is influenced by the density of Earth's atmosphere; the presence of more dust or clouds in the atmosphere can make the Moon appear redder during a total eclipse.
