What Iowans Need to Know About the August 27 Partial Lunar Eclipse

A deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible across Iowa on the night of Thursday, August 27, 2026. The eclipse reaches its peak shortly before midnight, when almost the entire Moon will be covered by Earth’s darkest shadow.

You won’t need eclipse glasses or a telescope. If the sky is clear and you have an open view of the Moon, you can watch it from your yard.

When to watch the eclipse in Iowa

Here is the approximate timeline for Iowa in Central Daylight Time, based on viewing information for Des Moines:

• 8:23 p.m.: Penumbral eclipse begins
• 9:33 p.m.: Partial eclipse begins
• 11:12 p.m.: Maximum eclipse
• 12:52 a.m.: Partial eclipse ends
• 2:02 a.m.: Penumbral eclipse ends

The change will be difficult to see at 8:23 p.m. because the Moon will first enter the lighter outer edge of Earth’s shadow. The dark shadow becomes noticeable after the partial phase begins around 9:33 p.m.

If you only plan to look once, step outside around 11:10 p.m. For a better sense of how the eclipse changes, check the Moon around 9:45 p.m., again at 10:30 p.m. and once more near the 11:12 p.m. maximum.

Times may vary by a minute or two depending on your location in Iowa.

How much of the Moon will be covered?

At maximum eclipse, NASA estimates that 96.3% of the Moon’s disk will be inside the umbra, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. Only a narrow section will remain directly illuminated by the Sun.

Although it may resemble a total lunar eclipse, this one is still classified as partial because the entire Moon never enters the umbra. That also means it isn’t technically a Blood Moon, a nickname most often used for a total lunar eclipse.

Most of the eclipsed Moon may still appear red, orange or copper. That color comes from sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface. It is the same basic effect that produces red and orange sunsets.

The color and brightness are never guaranteed. Clouds, smoke, dust and other particles in the atmosphere can change how the Moon looks during the eclipse.

Where to watch

For most Iowans, the best viewing spot will be a yard, park or nearby open area with a clear view of the Moon. Unlike many stargazing events, a lunar eclipse is easy to see from cities and towns despite the surrounding lights.

A darker location can improve the overall experience, but there is no need to drive long distances unless trees or buildings block your view or you want to photograph the Moon with a particular Iowa landmark.

Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye. Eclipse glasses are only needed for solar eclipses. Binoculars or a telescope can provide a closer look, but neither is necessary.

Watching with kids

The timing makes this eclipse easier to share with children than one that peaks in the middle of the night. Instead of staying outside for hours, make two or three quick trips outside and compare how the Moon changes.

Start around 9:45 or 10 p.m., return around 10:30 p.m. and look again near 11:12 p.m. Ask which part of the Moon is getting darker or whether its color has changed since the previous visit.

Tips for photographing the eclipse

A phone may record the changing shape of the Moon, but capturing its color and surface details can be difficult. A camera with a telephoto lens will provide better results.

• Use a tripod.
• Turn off the flash.
• Use a timer or remote shutter release to reduce camera movement.
• Check the image preview and adjust the exposure as the Moon darkens.
• If your camera allows it, shoot in RAW format for more flexibility when editing.

Settings that work early in the eclipse may be too dark near the maximum. Expect to adjust the exposure throughout the evening.

The best viewing should be between roughly 10:30 and 11:45 p.m., with maximum eclipse at approximately 11:12 p.m. As always with an Iowa skywatching event, the weather will have the final say.