08/28/2026
camping is the perfect time to see some of the best views the night sky has to offer! Any night owls still awake, look up and watch as the lunar eclipse takes place RIGHT NOW!
Share your photos in the comments below!
🌕 Almost Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight With Potential Northern Lights Visible At Same Time in Ontario‼️
Eyes to the sky tonight as Ontario is set to be treated to an almost total lunar eclipse, peaking around midnight!
At the peak of the eclipse, roughly 96% of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow, giving it a reddish tinge as it passes through the shadow of our planet.
We’re expecting partly cloudy conditions throughout the day, but the good news is that the latest data shows cloud cover thinning out by the evening, just in time to catch the lunar eclipse.
The main exception is the Ottawa Valley, where cloudy conditions may linger past midnight. Even there, some breaks in the clouds are possible, and since the eclipse will unfold over several hours, there should still be opportunities to catch a glimpse.
The eclipse begins around 9:20 PM, with Earth’s shadow gradually covering more of the Moon’s surface throughout the evening.
It will reach its peak around 12:10 AM, when approximately 96% of the Moon will be covered. The eclipse will then gradually wind down, coming to an end around 3 AM.
And it might not be just the eclipse gracing the skies tonight!
We’re also closely watching the potential for the northern lights to be visible. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is currently forecasting a G1 to G2 geomagnetic storm, with activity expected to arrive sometime late this evening or during the overnight hours.
If the timing lines up just right, we could potentially see the northern lights and a lunar eclipse at the same time!
Keep in mind that the brightness of the full Moon could make any northern lights difficult to see early in the eclipse. However, as more of the Moon becomes covered by Earth’s shadow and the sky gets darker, any aurora that is present could become easier to spot.
The timing of the northern lights is far from guaranteed, as forecasts of incoming solar activity can be tricky. The energy could arrive later than expected, be weaker than forecast or largely miss Earth altogether.
But one thing we can count on tonight is the lunar eclipse!
Are you excited to take in tonight’s lunar eclipse?
Be sure to share your photos with Ontario Storm Reports! We’ll be temporarily pausing our usual rule for Moon photography, which normally requires the ground to be visible in the photo, so you can share your shots of tonight’s lunar eclipse.
- Brennen
