A confusing social media post about a total blood moon (lunar eclipse) on August 28, 2026 has been seen throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The fact is that the event is not a total eclipse, but is actually a deep partial lunar eclipse with approximately 96.2% of the Moon’s area passing through the umbra of the Earth.
Is the August 28 Eclipse Visible in Southeast Asia?
The main eclipse is well observed along the Americas and in portions of Europe and Africa. In most SE Asian countries, crucial phases of the year take place during the periods when the Moon is below the horizon.
This is the opposite situation in some parts of the western or eastern Asian regions. Depending on the eclipse time and the distance from the Eclipse Center, Asia will witness part of the eclipse viewing being able to see the rising of the Moon at the end of the eclipse, which is a very narrow sliver and will depend heavily on the location and a clear horizon.
What About the Philippines?
The eclipse coincides with the August 27-28 event for Manila and the total eclipse duration period is not visible in the capital. The deepest phase will take place when the Moon is below the horizon, so he or she should not see the stunning “blood moon” that has been seen in various videos that go viral.
This is significant because although a portion of the Moon may be reddish or copper colored, that is not necessarily a total eclipse of the Moon. The August event will be at 96.2% umbrine while a small area will remain outside the deepest shadow.
What Does PAGASA’s 2026 Schedule Show?
DOST-PAGASA has issued an Astronomical Diary for the year 2026, which indicates a Full Moon on August 28, which happens at 12:18 PM (Philippine time). However, the DOST-PAGASA calendar for 2026 does not mark any lunar-eclipse viewing event for the Philippines on that day.
Why Are Old “Blood Moon” Videos Going Viral?
Much of the confusion may stem from re-scoping and posts of past lunar eclipses, especially the chaotic scepters of total eclipse scenes. Those videos can be cross uploaded without a prior date or location to give an impression of them being about a local event.
Those who are viewing the eclipse from Philippine and Southeast Asian locations, it is more accurate to check the eclipse type and local visibility than the captions that might have gone viral.
What Should Southeast Asian Skywatchers Expect?
This is an unusually deep partial eclipse on August 27-28 which makes it a scientifically interesting event. There is no “total blood moon” but it is a partial lunar eclipse that will be visible.
The best way to go is to look up astronomical information before going for a view of the night sky. For locations where the eclipse does not appear above the horizon, the most convenient means of viewing the eclipse is through conveying a livestream or a broadcast of the eclipse from astronomy.
FAQs
What type of eclipse will happen in August 2026?
The eclipse is deep partial, where about 96.2% of the Moon passes into the Earth’s umbra.
Is there any chance of an eclipse in Thailand?
No. The eclipse takes place when the Moon lies below the horizon in Bangkok during all the eclipse phases.
What is the blood moon?
Total lunar eclipses are often referred to as “blood moons”–the partially eclipsed Moon may also appear reddish or coppery.
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