Skywatchers across North America have a chance to see two celestial events at once on the night of Thursday, August 27, and Friday, August 28. A deep partial lunar eclipse, with 96.2% of the moon entering Earth’s dark umbral shadow, will coincide with a possible display of northern lights. The event follows forecasts from space weather agencies tracking an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection and a high-speed stream of solar wind. These conditions could produce minor to moderate geomagnetic storms, which are necessary for aurora visibility.
The full Sturgeon Moon will pass almost entirely through Earth’s shadow, taking on a deep reddish-orange hue that resembles a classic “blood moon.” Although it falls just short of totality, the eclipse will be the most impressive lunar eclipse until the end of 2028. At maximum eclipse, only a thin sliver of the moon will remain in direct sunlight. The entire event will last 5 hours and 38 minutes, with maximum eclipse occurring simultaneously at 12:12 a.m. EDT on Friday, August 28, and 9:12 p.m. PDT on Thursday, August 27.
The eclipse will be visible anywhere the moon is above the horizon under clear skies, with North and South America getting the best views of the full event. Observers in the eastern half of North America can watch from beginning to end, while those on the West Coast will see the moon rise already partially eclipsed. Unlike a solar eclipse, this event is completely safe to observe with the naked eye and requires no special equipment.
The U.K. Met Office’s Space Weather Operations Centre forecasts a chance of G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm conditions on both days. This follows an Earth-directed CME produced by a moderate solar flare, with Kp 5 intensity activity possible. The Met Office expects geomagnetic conditions to become “Unsettled to Active” before the CME arrives. NOAA is forecasting mostly quiet conditions through midday on August 27, then increasing to G1 levels as the high-speed solar wind stream arrives. NOAA also forecasts that G2 (moderate) storm conditions are likely on August 28 due to the CMEs.
If G1 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. Should activity strengthen to G2 levels, the auroral oval could expand farther south, allowing photographers in states such as Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York to capture faint displays.
During the period around maximum eclipse, the moon will dominate the southern sky while any aurora would appear low above the northern horizon. This could create a two-direction celestial display, with a reddish eclipsed moon to the south and faint green or red aurora shimmering to the north. Visibility will depend on solar wind strength, cloud cover, light pollution and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. Some locations may see only a faint glow detectable primarily through smartphone Night Mode or long-exposure photography.
Skywatchers should head to a dark location with unobstructed views of both horizons. Real-time aurora forecasts can change quickly, so monitoring conditions throughout the night is recommended. Apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast and Glendale Aurora can provide up-to-the-minute alerts and live solar wind data. If the forecast holds, the night could deliver one of the most unusual celestial spectacles of the decade.
